Kids can track how much they’ve read so far with reading logs and growth charts at the Scottsdale libraries. (Submitted photo/Jennifer Wong-Ortiz)

By George Zeliff
Mail

The Scottsdale Public Library champions several early literacy programs for children aged 0-5.

Programs include such activities as  Knowing & Growing workshops and the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The 1,000 books before kindergarten program began last August, and it challenges families with young children to read every day.

“When kids before the age of five are exposed to as many books as possible before they reach kindergarten, statistics and research has show that they’re more ready to learn,” Scottsdale library community engagement and outreach coordinator Jennifer Wong-Ortiz said. “They’re ready to start reading, writing and all that kind of stuff.”

To participate, families must sign up and get a tracking form at one of the four branches of the Scottsdale Public Library, including the Appaloosa Library, Arabian Library, Civic Center Library and Mustang Library. Children can color in a cactus on the reading log every time they read a book, or have one read to them by a parent, grandparent or caregiver.

The program is independent and self-paced. Kids can count the same book more than once, and they will receive incentives for reaching certain goals. At 100 books, they will receive a magnet and a finger puppet. At 300, they receive a confetti beach ball. At 600, they receive a fidget toy, and at 1,000, they receive a backpack. 

“At every library, you know how kids have growth charts? We have one that has books on it so that kids, when they reach a milestone, they can go stand next to the number and point,” Wong-Ortiz said.

The Knowing & Growing workshops are designed with early literacy in mind. The Scottsdale Public Library system has five different workshop programs (Books Can, Fun with Math and Science, Littlest Scientists, Stay and Play and Step Up to Learning), and Wong-Ortiz said each library does one of every kind of workshop per week.

There are recommended reading lists based on the child’s age available online at scottsdalelibrary.org. Click on the “Youth” tab and scroll down to the bottom of the 1,000 books before kindergarten tab to see recommendations for toddlers and babies.

The library’s Youth & Teen Services Coordinator, Dr. Mariko Whelan, took inspiration from national early reading campaigns when she created the 1,000 books before kindergarten program. Wong-Ortiz said this is not a new program, but she is happy Scottsdale is offering it to young families.

Along with their efforts to reach more young children, the Scottsdale library system created another way for people to get their books. There is a relatively new “Hold-it lockers” outside of the Granite Reef Senior Center close to the Civic Center library that allows people to pick up items that are  on hold.

Since mid-July of last year, people can place holds on books or DVDs and pick them up at the lockers any time of the day. The lockers are located outside of the senior center, and once you scan your library card, a locker pops open with the items you checked out in them. Instead of entering the library, these lockers offer a convenient access point for patrons.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. George Zeliff can be reached at gzeliff@iniusa.org.