Lets Read A Collaborative Initiative in Waterloo Region Laura Dick, Literacy Librarian Kitchener Public Library Karen Murray-Hopf, Childrens Services/Designer Cambridge Libraries & Galleries

Agenda Welcome The Idea The Plan What makes it Different? Questions

The Idea

Developing partnerships and figuring out how to collaborate 4 library systems 1 adult literacy organization Alignment of missions, visions and goals The Plan: The Details

The Plan: The Partners

Mission Statement To build a community of readers by encouraging the families of Waterloo Region to experience the joy of reading the same book. Goals to encourage families* to read together to inspire a love of reading and to generate conversation about books to promote the use of public libraries to support and promote Canadian childrens literature to build community across Waterloo Region amongst readers, and to strengthen the relationship of the public libraries to offer a diverse range of programs to support and promote the annual book selection *We intend families to be completely inclusive, regardless of age, relationship, or literacy level The Plan:

The Plan: Funding o Seed money in 2007 from The Cowan Foundation o Additional donations from The Cowan Foundation in o Support through The Waterloo Region Record Community Partnerships Program o In-kind support from partner organizations

Cowan Presentation

The Plan: Book Selection Criteria for book selection: o Grade 3/4 reading level o Canadian author o Needs to be in print o Available in soft cover o No self-published titles o Not a Forest of Reading winner for past two years o Mutually appealing to boys and girls o Appealing to both children and adults o Has a "wow" factor o If the title chosen is in a series, it must be able to stand alone as well o Consider special needs (e.g. books on CD for hearing impaired, Braille copies)

The Plan: Selection Process Process: 1)Members each pitch three or four titles to the committee 2) Committee votes on a short-list of three titles 3) Each member reads the short-list titles 4) Committee votes for the winner

The Plan: Timeline Fall - September: Launch at Word on the Street Festival - Distribute publicity materials to region - Host special events and storytimes at libraries - Author visit -School tours Winter - Contests and draws at libraries - January: Conclusion at region-wide Family Literacy Day event - January/February: Short-list titles for next year - Discuss funding options for next year Spring - Evaluate past year's initiative - Select title for next year - Secure funding and sponsors - Create publicity materials - Notify schools of upcoming title Summer - Prepare PR materials for distribution - Set targets for new year

2010 Selection:

The Plan: The Press One committee member is the primary media contact Support from The Waterloo Region Record Newspaper o Let's Read title and families are featured in articles o Let's Read committee purchases some ads and receives others in-kind

The Plan: Publicity Paid and donated ads and articles in region-wide and rural newspapers and in Community Activity Guide Take advantage of in-house designers/marketing/promotions Appearances on local daytime TV Posters for community and schools Public service announcements Website and print promotion through all members Blog

How do we get a screen shot of the blog in here Karen????

The Song You & Me, Lets Read! I heard about a book – the other day And they had that book at my – library So I checked it out and I took it home And now Im reading with my – family! CHORUS: So come on – lets read You & me – lets read, So grab a chair and sit down Its the best deal in town Now everybodys readin with their – family! So get your brother or your sis – your Mom or your Dad Your Grandma or your grandpa or your old dog Fred Read that book out loud – and have some fun But dont stop readin til that book is done! CHORUS:

The Plan: Events September: Word on the Street Festival an outdoor all ages event in September to showcase the initiative and launch the book choice

November: Author Visits & School Tours

CONTESTS!!

What makes Lets Read different? Focus on the entire family, regardless of literacy level In Waterloo Region which comprises the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the surrounding rural area, 24 % do not have the necessary literacy skills to function in every day society Partnership works because everyone focuses on a program for the betterment of families

What makes it different? Book chosen is geared so that families can read it together In some cases, it may be the child reading to the adult Its an intergenerational experience

The Adult Literacy Piece Year 1 – informed adult literacy agencies of the event and some low literate families came to some of the events, bringing the book Year 2 – book was more relevant for modern day families – had an author visit one of the LBS classrooms Year 3 – planning another event to bring adults to libraries and libraries to adults

Questions?