Library Contributes To Increase In School Readiness

WHAT:  Contribution to Increased School Readiness

WHO:  Wicomico Public Library

WHEN: report released last week

WHERE: All library locations

SALISBURY, MD – March 29, 2011 – According to the results of the Maryland Model for School Readiness assessment released last week by the Maryland Department of Education, eighty-one percent of Maryland Kindergarteners are ready for school; up from 49 percent recorded when the test began ten years ago.  Eight-seven percent of Wicomico County Kindergarteners are ready for school; up from 55 percent recorded ten years ago.  Information for each subdivision is located at http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/NR/rdonlyres/BCFF0F0E-33E5-48DA-8F11-28CF333816C2/27805/MMSR_20102011_State_Readiness_Report_w.pdf

Maryland’s Creating Connections to Grow Readers: It’s Never Too Early initiative was established by the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Library Development and Services in 2001. More than 1,000 public librarians statewide have participated in training created by the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Reading Excellence to align their resources and services to young children birth to five, and their families and caregivers with the Maryland Model for School Readiness. 

"A library is often a child's first classroom, and a lifetime love of books and learning can begin within library walls," said State Superintendent of Schools, Nancy S. Grasmick.  "Libraries provide the key to strong early childhood development.   They offer critical resources to communities in every part of our State."

Wicomico Public Library supports this increase in the number of kindergarteners ready for school: 

• There were 183 programs for children aged 0 to 4 in FY10; attendance was 3382.  We provide in-house story times plus visits to in-home Child Care Providers and we receive class tours from preschools.

• We co-host the finale night in Lightning Bug School for pre-K special needs kids and their parents.  They meet once a week for four weeks to read a book, do an activity aligned with the book and have dinner.  The fourth week they have Happy Meals at the library, read a story and tour the library and get a library card.
• We partner with the Board of Education in hosting the School Readiness Fair each July.  The fair acquaints all children entering school for the first time with all places they can find support as they begin their school career.
• 300,157 birth to five related materials were circulated in FY10.
• The Birth to Four area of the Main Library is a space dedicated to young children; with play and learn areas, early literacy activity centers for children and parents to learn and play together.
• Our Children’s Services Manager has been trained in special programs - Early literacy training available for child care professionals and parents based on the Maryland Model for School Readiness so all adults in the child’s life are working together.