Let’s ReadA Collaborative Initiative in

Waterloo Region

Laura Dick, Literacy LibrarianKitchener Public Library

Karen Murray-Hopf, Children’s Services/DesignerCambridge Libraries & Galleries

Agenda

• Welcome

• The Idea

• The Plan

• What makes it Different?

• Questions

The Idea

• Developing partnerships and figuring out how to collaborate

4 library systems 1 adult literacy organization Alignment of missions, visions and goals

The Plan: The Details

The Plan: The Partners

Mission Statement• To build a community of readers by encouraging the

families of Waterloo Region to experience the joy of reading the same book.

Goals to encourage families* to read together

to inspire a love of reading and to generate conversation about books

to promote the use of public libraries

to support and promote Canadian children’s literature

to build community across Waterloo Region amongst readers, and to strengthen the

relationship of the public libraries

to offer a diverse range of programs to support and promote the annual book selection

*We intend “families” to be completely inclusive, regardless of age, relationship,

or literacy level

The Plan:

The Plan: Funding

o Seed money in 2007 from The Cowan Foundation

o Additional donations from The Cowan Foundation

in 2008-2010

o Support through The Waterloo Region Record Community Partnerships Program

o In-kind support from partner organizations

Cowan Presentation

The Plan: Book Selection

Criteria for book selection:o Grade 3/4 reading levelo Canadian authoro Needs to be in printo Available in soft covero No self-published titleso Not a Forest of Reading winner for past two yearso Mutually appealing to boys and girlso Appealing to both children and adultso Has a "wow" factoro If the title chosen is in a series, it must be able to stand

alone as wello Consider special needs (e.g. books on CD for hearing

impaired, Braille copies)

The Plan: Selection Process

Process:

1) Members each pitch three or four titles to the committee

2) Committee votes on a short-list of three titles

3) Each member reads the short-list titles

4) Committee votes for the winner

The Plan: Timeline

2010 Selection:

The Plan: The Press

• One committee member is the primary media contact

• Support from The Waterloo Region Record Newspaper

o Let's Read title and families are featured in articles

o Let's Read committee purchases some ads and receives others in-kind

The Plan: Publicity

• Paid and donated ads and articles in region-wide and rural newspapers and in Community Activity Guide

• Take advantage of in-house designers/marketing/promotions

• Appearances on local daytime TV

• Posters for community and schools

• Public service announcements

• Website and print promotion through all members

• Blog

www.letsreadwaterlooregion.blogspot.com

• How do we get a screen shot of the blog in here Karen????

The Song “You & Me, Let’s Read!”I heard about a book – the other day

And they had that book at my – library

So I checked it out and I took it home

And now I’m reading with my – family!

CHORUS:

 

So come on – let’s read

You & me – let’s read,

So grab a chair and sit down

It’s the best deal in town

Now everybody’s readin’ with their – family!

 

So get your brother or your sis – your Mom or your Dad

Your Grandma or your grandpa or your old dog Fred

Read that book out loud – and have some fun

But don’t stop readin’ til that book is done!

 

CHORUS:

The Plan: Events

• September: Word on the Street Festival an outdoor all ages event in September to showcase the initiative

and launch the book choice

• November: Author Visits & School Tours

CONTESTS!!

What makes Let’s Read different?

• Focus on the entire family, regardless of literacy level

• In Waterloo Region which comprises the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the surrounding rural area, 24 % do not have the necessary literacy skills to function in every day society

• Partnership works because everyone focuses on a program for the betterment of families

What makes it different?

• Book chosen is geared so that families can read it together

• In some cases, it may be the child reading to the adult

• It’s an intergenerational experience

The Adult Literacy Piece

• Year 1 – informed adult literacy agencies of the event and some low literate families came to some of the events, bringing the book

• Year 2 – book was more relevant for modern day families – had an author visit one of the LBS classrooms

• Year 3 – planning another event to bring adults to libraries and libraries to adults

Questions?

• Laura.Dick@kpl.org

• kmurray-hopf@cambridgelibraries.ca