This training, offered in person on November 6, 2014, is the launch of the Colorado State Library's Putting SPELL (Supporting Parents in Early Literacy through Libraries) into Action, a project funded with an IMLS National Leadership Grant.

1. PUTTING SPELL
INTO ACTION!

2. 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!

3. Our thanks to:
And our Community Supporters:

4. 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

5. 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

6. http://spellproject.weebly.com/

7. 4 research prongs
• Environmental scan
• Literature review
• Surveys
• Focus groups
Within and outside
of library field
With low-income parents of
kids birth-3 in 4 CO
communities
SPELL website Research tab:
http://spellproject.weebly.com/research.html

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Information sources for raising/educating
children—no college degree

11. Information sources for helping children
know and love books—no college

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. First and foremost!!
Partner, collaborate, work through
existing infrastructure of early childhood
organizations/services

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. Once upon a time…
We’re starting our next chapter:
Putting SPELL into Action!
October 2014-2016

20. Prototypes
• Locally-designed programs informed by
SPELL blueprint
• 8 SPELL libraries, based on demographics
• All are welcome!
• Mentoring & professional development
provided

21. Dec 2014-
Feb 2015
• Implement prototypes
• Receive mentoring/PD
Feb 2015-
Jan 2016
• Prototype evaluations
Jan-July
2016
• Hold SPELL symposium
• Complete report
July-Sept
2016
• Create prototypes
• SPELL staff reviews prototypes

22. Exploring the blueprint
What recommendations do you
already do?

23. Exploring the blueprint
How can you incorporate the blueprint
into your existing programs?

24. Exploring the blueprint
Identify your largest gaps and barriers
in incorporating the recommendations;
how can you overcome them?

25. Thank You!
Beth Crist, crist_b@cde.state.co.us
Jean Heilig, heilig_j@cde.state.co.us
Sharon Morris, morris_s@cde.state.co.us
Meghan Wanucha,
wanucha_m@cde.state.co.us