Librarians and Literacy
Libraries have a long history of supporting literacy through books and programs for children and adults. Reading Rockets is pleased to tap into this tradition of outreach by presenting the resources below for schools and public libraries.
Created in partnership with the American Library Association, these materials help librarians offer workshops and handouts for parents on how to encourage reading development. We hope they enrich your library's services to the schools, families, and children in your community.
Click below for:
A toolkit for librarians
You can download "Reading Rockets @ your library," a toolkit created in partnership with the Association for Library Services to Children and the Association of School Librarians of the American Library Association.
This free online kit provides handouts and materials to make it easy for libraries to offer community forums, discussions, and workshops for parents, teachers, and caregivers on how to support children's reading achievement. Included in the kit are video modules that show what works in teaching and encouraging kids to become readers. This toolkit can also be purchased from the Reading Rockets store.
- Download the entire kit (758K PDF)*
The toolkit has also been divided into sections for easier downloading.
- Front section (136K PDF)*>
- Front Cover
- Acknowledgements
- Letter to Librarians
- Foreword
- Table of Contents
- Introduction (78K PDF)*
- What Is Reading Rockets? A Brief Overview
- Reading Rockets and Libraries
- Reading Rockets Resources
- New Reading Rockets Initiatives
- Ordering Additional Reading Rockets Materials
- Reading Rockets in Action (81K PDF)*
- Workshop Materials Especially for Use by Librarians
- A Few Ideas to Get You Started
- Great Ideas in Action: What Libraries Are Doing
- Reading Rockets Workshop Leader Guidelines (169K PDF)*
- Introduction
- Module 1: Finding the Right Book
- Module 2: Roots of Literacy
- Module 3: Reading as Dialogue
- Module 4: Reading Together
- Module 5: Trade Secrets
- Reading Rockets Workshop Handouts (255K PDF)*
- Discover Your Library
- Helping Your Child Become Aware of Print
- Never Too Early to Read
- Print All Around
- Reading Aloud
- Reading as Dialogue
- Talk, Read, Listen to Your Child
- You Are Your Child's First and Best Teacher
- Additional Resources (135K PDF)*
- Template and Sample for Reading Rockets Library Flyer and Poster
- Sample Evaluation for Library Staff
- Sample Evaluation for Participants
- Clip Art for Reading Rockets Events
Video modules
The following videos are referenced within the toolkit.
Module 1-4
Module 5: Trade Secrets
This module contains five video clips, each featuring a different children's author.
Recommended Use: These video clips can be used for in-service training or other workshops for older children, teachers, caregivers, parents, and other adults interested in children's literature.
* To view this file, you'll need a copy of Acrobat Reader. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.
§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.