Empowering caregivers with the tools they need to be their child\u2019s first and most important teacher is a core role of children\u2019s librarians. We model early literacy practices during storytime and curate parenting collections to support milestones and challenging topics, but many caregivers are also looking for more direct guidance when it comes to helping their child learn to read. Beyond offering early reader collections, my library currently does not have many opportunities to expand how we support families through this critical stage of development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Gateway to Reading<\/a> initiative from the St. Louis County Library shared at #PLA26 was created in response to this same need. While the library already offered programs like reading buddies to build confidence, staff recognized a gap in supporting the foundational skills required for learning to read. Their goal became not just encouraging reading, but actively helping families understand how reading develops and how to support that process at home. Alison Loewen<\/strong>\u00a0(she\/her\/hers) is a Youth Services Librarian at\u00a0Mead Public Library<\/a>\u00a0in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who proudly geeks out about early literacy and can happily talk picture books all day with fellow enthusiasts. She often jokes that she reads hundreds of books each month\u2014picture books, of course! At PLA, Alison is excited to gather fresh programming ideas and wander the exhibit hall in search of new treasures for her library\u2019s play area and activity room. She previously served on the\u00a0CLEL Bell Picture Book Award Committee<\/a>\u00a0and has been honored as a\u00a0PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Wisconsin Library Association\u2019s 2025 Librarian of the Year<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To better align with the Science of Reading and the literacy instruction children receive in school, the library created a comprehensive program with multiple entry points for families. Gateway to Reading includes circulating kits with decodable, high-interest books, simple card games, and caregiver guides; interactive workshops for children and their caregivers that teach phonics strategies through play; expanded collections of early readers in read-along formats like Vox and Wonderbooks; and digital tools such as Lexia Core5 and Lexia PowerUp, which personalize learning by targeting phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Each component is designed to engage both children and caregivers as active participants, reinforcing that reading development continues beyond the library and into everyday routines at home.
Rather than functioning as a collection of separate resources, Gateway to Reading works as a cohesive system. The program offers a clear, step-by-step pathway for building skills while still honoring the importance of play and engagement. By combining caregiver education, hands-on materials, and accessible digital tools, the program builds confidence not only in young readers but also in the adults supporting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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