Spell training

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

http://spellproject.weebly.com/

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, 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