Ready to Read at New York Libraries is an initiative of the New York State Education Department designed to improve and expand the availability of high-quality public library early learning services in local communities across the State. Through this initiative, families and caregivers are provided with the knowledge needed to prepare their young children for their school years ahead.
The priority component of Ready to Read at New York Libraries is a train-the-trainer program that strengthens library staff skills to ensure that families and caregivers with young children receive the highest quality services at all of New York’s 1,000 public library outlets.
The project supports the development of collaborative and lasting local, statewide, and national partnerships to assure the work is done effectively and strategically. The goal of Ready to Read at New York Libraries is that New York’s public libraries will significantly improve the quality of early learning services, providing families and caregivers with the knowledge they need to prepare young children for their school years.
Get information about training opportunities, find out more about the program, and download training materials.
Browse high-quality online early literacy resources and connect with partner organizations.
In 2013, the New York State Library began conducting research into the need for and the development of a statewide early literacy program for public libraries, caregivers and families. One of the early findings of this research is that comprehensive and coordinated early literacy training for public library staff is a key component to the success of a statewide early literacy program.
The State Library developed a coordinated statewide early literacy training program for library staff throughout New York State. This sustainable, comprehensive program is based on best practices and training needs of public libraries in New York. The implementation of the training program provides all public library staff in the state with access to the training and materials they need to make the library a vital community hub for early learning and a key community partner in every village, town, city, and in New York.
The program was developed through extensive research, a survey of NYS libraries, and funding through IMLS grants.
