Early Childhood Literacy and Public Librarians

Early or "emergent" literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write.    

Public librarians provide one of a child's first opportunities to interact with books.  Librarians have historically provided preschool story times within the library that incorporate early literacy strategies.  Now, in addition, they are providing outreach services to child care centers and preschools and many libraries provide programs for younger children such as "lapsits" for babies and toddler story times.