Special to the Herald
SAVANNAH -- Live Oak Public Libraries invites the public to the launch celebration of Springfield Library's Ready-to-Read Center, a permanent space dedicated to early readers and their caregivers.
Ready-to-Read Centers are early literacy destinations for the community.
The library will also honor recent graduates of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and their parents and caregivers.
Both events will take place Saturday, April 26 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Springfield Library, 810 Hwy. 119S.
Ready-to-Read Centers incorporate best early literacy and learning practices and resources such as decodable books, sensory items, digital learning tools, and parent/caregiver guides. Funding help for the project comes from the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy, Saint Thomas Thrift and the Green family. The first Ready-to-Read Center launched April 5th in Hinesville and more will roll out across the system in the near future.
The Georgia Early Literacy Act, passed in April 2023, is a significant reform requiring evidence-based literacy instruction across the state by 2025. As a result, the "science of reading" must be adopted statewide to improve literacy outcomes.
In support, Live Oak Public Library employees from across the system completed rigorous LETRS training in late 2024 —the same literacy training Georgia school teachers and early childhood educators receive.
Library staff are also trained in LML (Language as a Missing Link), which promotes better ways to engage families and provide tools to support early literacy development before children even learn to talk.
These science of reading methods are informing programming, material selection, and the way youth services staff work with young readers and their caregivers every day at Live Oak Public Library branches.
Research shows that reading books and sharing stories are two of the best ways to help children develop the language skills they need to enter school ready to learn. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten directly aligns with the Ready-to-Read Center concept. Learn more at: bit.ly/42Om5Ip.
