It’s In The Bag

Preschool Outreach PlusRapides Parish Library

Alexandria, LA

POP Circulation Figures

1997 - 2006

23,243

9,999

29,408

41,94542,061 42,762

50,950

55,740

65,786

73,225

In The Beginning…

• Noticed fewer children in the library• Story times were not well attended• Circulation figures were down• Where were the children?• We found them in child care centers

and Head Start programs

POP? What Is It?

• Delivery of Themed Material• Centers must have Class A

Daycare Licenses from State • Centers are Responsible for

Materials• Scheduled for a 3 Week Use Period

What’s In Those Bags?• Toddler & Preschool Bags• Children’s Cassettes• Children’s Books• Flannel Board Stories• Puppets• Videos• Teacher Resource Books• Songs & Fingerplays• Big Books

Resources

StaffBooks & Materials

TransportationInventory System

Staging & Storing Area

Funding

• Friends Groups• Grants

2004 Coming Up Taller Award2006 Capital One LA Education

Initiative Grant 2005-2007 First Book’s Book Relief• Library Budget• Donations • Weeded Materials

Additions

• School Age Program • Children’s Programming Concerts for children• Expanded Existing Collection• Dedicated POP Building• Workshops for Providers

Future Plans

• Programs for at risk children• Purchase 2nd van for another route• Create a manual for others to use

in developing their program• Spread the word!• Document program’s success

Benefits For Library

• Great working relationship with other organizations in community

• Beautiful circulation figures• PR Tool • Touches 1000’s of preschoolers

with literacy• Gives underserved children an

even start in life

Have Questions?

Contact:Susan Baker

Preschool Outreach Plus MGR.318-445-2411 x 212

sfbaker@rpl.org

Rapides Parish Library411 Washington St.

Alexandria, LA 71301

The Best Reasons To Do POP