Ready to Read Resource Center
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About
www.readytoreadak.org
Location: Anchorage, Alaska Contact: Terrie Weckerle, Project Manager WeckerleTN@muni.org |
From Mission
"Many rural Alaskan communities have no bookstores. Those that have community libraries may not find adequate collections of books for infants and toddlers. Even within urban areas, book collections are expensive to maintain. The Ready to Read Resource Center encourages communities where print materials are scarce, to fully utilize the Center's resources." From RRRC Homepage "The Anchorage Public Library Ready to Read Resource Center, located at Z.J. Loussac Public Library, is a statewide resource for anyone who works with infants and toddlers anywhere in Alaska. The Center's mission is to promote early literacy development throughout Alaska by providing books and other resources to children birth to age three and their caregivers. The Center does this by loaning three types of reading kits to organizations that serve infants and toddlers, such as (but not limited to):
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Ready to Read Resource Center is Funded by the IMLS |
From IMLS Project Profiles: March 2012: Early Literacy Projects in Alaska and Kansas Prepare the Youngest Readers
"The Ready to Read Resource Center (RRRC) loans three types of materials to public libraries across the state (in towns without a public library, the Center mails these reading kits directly to childcare agencies and professionals). Ready to Read tubs contain an assortment of board and picture books targeting children from birth to age 3, which have been carefully selected by professional librarians. Lapsit bags – which are designed for group story time – contain a book, puppet, and music CD that revolve around a theme. Read to Me at Home kits consist of 10 tote bags that each contain a variety of board books. Like a 'mini library,' the tote bags can then be loaned out to parents and children so that the family can read at home." |
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How It Works
Works through existing infrastructures: Early childhood professionals
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From Borrowing Kits
Ready to Read Tubs and Read to Me at Home Tubs can only be borrowed by Alaskan agencies and professionals who serve young children and their caregivers, such as (but not limited to) child care centers, licensed family child care providers, early childhood education agencies, libraries, health clinics, and faith-based organizations. Lapsit Bags and Read With Me Bags can be borrowed by any Alaskan resident. |
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Target Audience: Early care and learning professionals and Families
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RRRC loans the reading kits to organizations that serve infants and toddlers, such as (but not limited to):
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Active involvement of participants
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From Tips & Resources
RRRC offers free presentations on "Nurturing Early Literacy in Infants and Toddlers" to early care and learning professionals to help them discover what young children need to know before they learn to read. The presentation includes simple, practical ways professionals can encourage the development of pre-reading skills in infants and toddlers. |
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Partnerships with other organizations
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From IMLS Project Profiles
Since it started in 2008, the RRRC has served more than 100 Alaska communities through outreach that also includes early literacy and RRRC informational workshops, advertisements, articles in online and print publications, and other advocacy. Terrie Weckerle, Project Manager, has partnered with 22 different early childhood and education organizations – including the Anchorage Public Library, the Municipality of Anchorage, and the Alaska State Library – to promote the Ready to Read program on a statewide basis. |
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Assessments
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[The SPELL Project will need to inquire with RRRC about their assessments.]
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Cultural Proficiency
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Some Ready to Read tubs contain materials in Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Some Read to Me at Home Tubs contain materials in Spanish. |
