Advanced sales for Every Child Ready to Read® toolkit begin

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA) are proud to announce the opening of advanced sales for “Every Child Ready to Read® (ECRR) @ your library® 2nd Edition” at the ALA Store. The product is scheduled to be available in June 2011.

The ECRR program provides public libraries and other early literacy centers with tools to help prepare parents/caregivers for their critical role as their child's first teacher. The "2nd Edition" toolkit includes a series of customizable workshops that demonstrate how parents, grandparents, childcare providers and preschool teachers can use five simple practices—talking, singing, reading, writing and playing—to develop language and pre-reading skills in children from birth to age 5.

The “ECRR 2nd Edition” toolkit includes resources for eight workshops that libraries can customize for their community and supporting materials such as brochures, bookmarks and posters. All of these materials stress the importance of parents and caregivers in teaching their children to read. The total cost of the toolkit is $200; 100-packs of additional brochures are $30, 100-packs of additional bookmarks are $15, and additional posters cost $10. To see a full list of contents and to order your copy of the “ECRR 2nd Edition” please visit the ALA Store.

Every Child Ready to Read is a project of ALSC and PLA. The 2nd Edition was researched by Dr. Susan Neuman, professor in educational studies, University of Michigan School of Education, and Dr. Donna Celano, assistant professor, Communication Department, LaSalle University.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,200 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at http://www.ala.org/alsc.

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.