The North Avondale, Inglenook and Titusville branches have received PBS Kids Raising Readers Corners. West End Library received one in 2009. Alabama Public Television (APT) is one of more than 30 PBS stations expanding the PBS KIDS Raising Readers Library Corners program in local libraries across the country. The Library Corners are designed to give children, ages 2 to 8, the opportunity to strengthen their literacy skills through free, fun activities at their local public or school library.
“Research shows that providing PBS KIDS Raising Readers high-quality, media-rich educational materials to young children can play a key role in their development of important literacy skills,” said Dr. Cindy Kirk, APT’s VP of Educational Services. “By expanding the number of PBS KIDS Raising Readers Library Corners in Birmingham, we’re able to also expand the reach and impact of these invaluable resources.”
Twenty markets across the country piloted the PBS KIDS Raising Readers Library Corners project last year. This year’s expansion of the project broadens its reach to more than 30 stations, and more than 200 libraries nationwide, including elementary school libraries.
“At a time when funding for all types of community programs remains scarce, we are especially grateful to receive these additional Library Corners from APT,” said Janine Langston, Birmingham Public Libraries’ Literacy, Outreach and Youth Services Coordinator. “Both organizations are dedicated to helping young children develop the skills they need to become life-long readers and a partnership like this provides tangible benefits to our very youngest library patrons throughout the state.”
Each Library Corner is equipped with an array of multimedia resources including 26 interactive reading activities and a corresponding DVD. The activities and clips were developed and taken from PBS KIDS Raising Readers programming including SESAME STREET; WORDWORLD; SUPER WHY!; BETWEEN THE LIONS; MARTHA SPEAKS and THE ELECTRIC COMPANY. Additionally, kids and parents are encouraged to supplement their efforts with online activities at PBS KIDS Island (found at ReadyToLearnReading.org), a Web site with games designed to help preschool-age kids master literacy skills at eight different levels.
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