1. All Things Preschool

2. La Crosse Public Library We are a community of 51,000 people located in Western Wisconsin on the shores of the Mississippi River. 3. Our library has a staff of 85 and 3 locations: Main Library and two small neighborhood branches, each within 2 miles of Main. 4. Despite an annual circulation of approximately 1.2 million items with 1 million checked out at Main. We are cheap!!!! 5. Let 1000 Books Bloom 6. 1000 Books Goal Early Literacy DIY Increase Library Use Increase Circulation Self-pace Stealthy! 7. What Happened When We Started? In 2011: Decreased traditional active programs 39% 32% fewer attendees at childrens programs Circulation of all childrens materials increased 10% Circulation of print childrens materials increased 15% 8. The Mothers Sandy Krost, Head of Childrens Services, Bremen Public Library, IN Mem Fox 9. Benefits Adaptable Supports Little ongoing time/effort. Parents lead! It makes a difference 10. Project Goals? Fun? Great books? School readiness? Regular Library use? Library Intro? 11. Incentives? Kids and/or parents Low cost: stickers, stamps Mid cost: paperback book, book bag, magnets, window clings High cost: fingerpuppets, CDs 12. Budget? Design=Budget How Many? Sustainability 13. Funding? Programming Budget Friends of the Library Grants Sponsorship Memorials Fundraising 14. Keeping Track? Drop-in Activities Each return visit = 100 books read Record-Keeping 15. Baby Book Bees 16. Set-up 17. Exposure & Publicity 18. Incentives 19. Funding https://corporate.target.com/corporate-responsibility/grants/early-childhood-reading-grants Deadline is April 30th! 20. Success? 47 sign ups 11 finished 7 months in 21. Why? http://www.earlylit.net/libraryenvironment/hcplpla08elenv.pdf 22. Planning Priorities Logo Dedicated space Inexpensive Frequent Change Sufficient pre-prep time Pertinent collections 23. Puppet theatre- Guidecraft- $50.00 http://www.guidecraft.com/product/0/G5106 1/_/Center_Stage__Tabletop_Puppet_Theater 24. Phonemic awareness activity boards- Lakeshore $79.95 http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CsearchResults~~p%7C2534374302107632~~.jsp Words and letters are fun! 25. Flannel Stories 26. Flannel Games 27. Wall Activities 28. Anywhere! 29. Seriously, Anywhere 30. iPads 31. Ideas 32. For more info: Marge Loch-Wouters Youth Services Coordinator marge@lacrosselibrary.org Blog: Tiny Tips for Library Fun 608 789-8190 Brooke Rasche Early Literacy Librarian brooke@lacrosselibrary.org Blog: Reading with Red 608 789-7133 La Crosse (WI) Public Library