spell training
TRANSCRIPT
PUTTING SPELL
INTO ACTION!
Objectives
• Learn about SPELL research findings
• Explore how to remove barriers to library use & home
early literacy activities
• Discuss how to leverage collaboration & outreach
• Plan how to incorporate SPELL recommendations into
your projects & services
• Network & share ideas
• End the day with concrete next steps on using SPELL to
inform your programs & services!
Our thanks to:
And our Community Supporters:
Once upon a time…
• We wanted to establish a state-wide baby library
card program for babies
• But as planning progressed, we realized we
needed more information
• So we applied for an IMLS National Leadership
Planning Grant
First step: collaboration
• We established a partnership with the
University of Denver Morgridge College of
Education;
• convened an exceptional Advisory Board;
• and partnered with 4 library jurisdictions
4 research prongs
• Environmental scan
• Literature review
• Surveys
• Focus groups
SPELL website Research tab:
http://spellproject.weebly.com/research.html
Within and outside
of library field
With low-income parents of
kids birth-3 in 4 CO
communities
Importance vs. frequency of reading
ALL respondents, save only one, believe
reading daily to their young children is very
important.
Actual reading, though, varies by income
and education levels, as well as number of
children.
Reading frequency
Amount that caregivers read to their young
children
• Increases with income
• Increases with education level (except…)
• Decreases with the number of children in the
household
Information sources for raising/educating
children—no college degree
Information sources for helping children
know and love books—no college
Barriers to library use
• Sheer busy-ness/scheduling
• Hard to get to the library when it’s open
• Hard to get to the library building
(transportation)
• Library fines and fees
• Can’t find needed materials
• Library not welcoming/young child-friendly
Promoting early literacy
Parents suggested places/ways to promote early
literacy and library programs:
• Big box stores
• Grocery stores
• Gas stations
• Post offices
• Text messages
• Mail lists
From research to blueprint
Recommendations crafted from findings of 4 research prongs
3 spheres:
• In your organization
• Reaching out
• Home early literacy practices
spellproject.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/3/3/15331602/spell_blueprint_final.pdf
First and foremost!!
Partner, collaborate, work through
existing infrastructure of early childhood
organizations/services
In your organization—highlights
• End fines and fees for board books and picture
books.
• Ensure parents know their young children are
welcome in your organization.
• Engage older siblings in early literacy activities with
younger children.
• Empower all staff to know that they can make a
difference in informing parents and caregivers about
early literacy.
Reaching out—highlights
• Partner with religious institutions.
• Leverage the online environment to promote early
literacy and your services.
• Reach out to expecting parents about
early literacy.
• Communicate that young children
are welcome.
Home early literacy practices—highlights
• Engage older siblings in reading with their younger
siblings
• Model literacy-rich home environments
• Model on-the-go early literacy activities
• Offer early literacy classes to parents that include
peer support
Once upon a time…
We’re starting our next chapter:
Putting SPELL into Action!
October 2014-2016
Prototypes
• Locally-designed programs informed by
SPELL blueprint
• 8 SPELL libraries, based on demographics
• All are welcome!
• Mentoring & professional development
provided
Dec 2014-Feb 2015
• Implement prototypes
• Receive mentoring/PD
Feb 2015-Jan 2016
• Prototype evaluationsJan-July
2016
• Hold SPELL symposium
• Complete report
July-Sept 2016
• Create prototypes
• SPELL staff reviews prototypes
Exploring the blueprint
What recommendations do you
already do?
How can you incorporate the blueprint
into your existing programs?
Exploring the blueprint
Exploring the blueprint
Identify your largest gaps and barriers
in incorporating the recommendations;
how can you overcome them?
Thank You!
Beth Crist, [email protected]
Jean Heilig, [email protected]
Sharon Morris, [email protected]
Meghan Wanucha,