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Preschool Outreach Plus program at Rapides Parish Library in Alexandria, LA improves children's literacy through themed material delivery to child care centers. The program enhances library usage and fosters a love for reading in young children.
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It’s In The Bag Preschool Outreach Plus Rapides Parish Library Alexandria, LA
POP Circulation Figures 82,998 78,104 1997 - 2008 73,225 65,786 55,740 50,950 42,762 42,061 41,945 29,408 23,243 9,999
In The Beginning… • Noticed fewer children in the library • Story times were not well attended • Circulation figures were down • Where were the children? • We found them in child care centers and Head Start programs
Identify Need • Start small. You will have a window of opportunity of about 1 ½ hours in A.M. to make delivery. • Send letters to centers, offering a free delivery of bags & story times. • Call or visit them for their replies. • THEN start building your POP. Make it a separate collection.
POP? What Is It? • FREE! • Delivery of Themed Material • Centers must have Class A Daycare Licenses from State • Centers are Responsible for Materials • Scheduled for a 3 Week Use Period
What’s In Those Bags? • Toddler & Preschool Bags • Children’s Cassettes • Children’s Books • Flannel Board Stories • Puppets • Videos • Teacher Resource Books • Songs & Fingerplays • Big Books
Resources Staff Books & Materials Transportation Inventory System Staging & Storing Area
Funding • Friends Groups • Grants 2004 Coming Up Taller Award 2006 Capital One LA Education Initiative Grant 2005-2007 First Book’s Book Relief 2007 Junior League Grant • Townsend Press Free Books • Feed the Children Book Grant • Library Budget • Donations • Weeded Materials
Additions • School Age Program • Children’s Programming Concerts for children • Expanded Existing Collection • Dedicated POP Building • Workshops for Providers • At-Risk Teens
The Plus in POP • At risk, transitional families • Non traditional needs • Individual needs • One Stop one time • At risk, incarcerated teens • The Library Ladies Newsletter
Future Plans • Create a manual for others to use in developing their program • Spread the word! • Document program’s progress • Continuing education to ensure more workshops for teachers
Benefits For Library • Great working relationship with other organizations in community • Beautiful circulation figures • PR Tool • Touches 1000’s of preschoolers with literacy • Gives underserved children an even start in life
Have Questions? Contact: Susan Baker Preschool Outreach Plus MGR. 318-442-2483 x 206 sfbaker@rpl.org Rapides Parish Library 5416 Provine Pl Alexandria, LA 71303
POP VANS & BUILDING Vehicles bought with grant funds in 2007 & 2008