Building Strong Foundations for Early Literacy

Utilizing diverse sources of funding, Georgia Public Library Service is building strong foundations for early literacy across several initiatives.

GPLS encouraged economically and educationally vulnerable families to engage in early literacy activities through Prime Time Family Reading, a Library of Congress Literacy Award-winning program. Participating families enjoy a weekly meal together and a facilitated reading session that models deeper conversations about the themes and lessons of books.

To further encourage families to read at home, GPLS also distributed 120 Prime Time Family and Preschool Spark Box early literacy kits across 12 public library systems, with the support of LuluMa Foundation funding. Families keep their Spark Boxes, which contain books, additional learning and art supplies, and a guide with discussion prompts and activities.

“I am overwhelmed by the good books and activities in the Spark Box. It is my go-to resource as I prepare my child for his reading and learning journey,” said Robin, a parent from Lee County.

Libraries also encouraged students of all ages to read and prepare for the next school year through the Institute of Museum and Library Services-funded Summer Reading Program.

“We are forever grateful for the library staff who go above and beyond to instill a love of reading in children,” said Sandhya, a parent from Forsyth County. “We have particularly enjoyed the music, movement, puppet shows, and most importantly the community that all of this has helped to build.”

Year-round, young readers in pre-k to fourth grade can find books to read with eRead Kids, a digital library available through all Georgia public libraries with over 40,000 electronic and audiobooks, funded by the State of Georgia.