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Spring 2001 is a critical moment for libraries'
work with pre-school children:
Sure Start is announcing the draft wording of a new target
for library use by pre-school children in Sure Start areas;
The growing number of
Early Years Childcare Development Partnerships which include
libraries as partners, is another key sign that our significance
as agents of early years literacy is being noted; The DCMS's
green paper "Culture
and Creativity; The Next Ten Years" has announced NOF
fourth round funding for
Bookstart. Coinciding with this, the
National Reading Campaign has taken as its focus early years
literacy and family reading - Getting a Head Start
aims to raise awareness of the needs and opportunities of early
years literacy. Libraries are currently presented with an unprecedented
opportunity to take forward their work with Bookstart and develop
their early years services.
The purpose of this pack is to support libraries
work in this area and help them make the most of current opportunities. It
has three components:
- Background notes
- These present the policy, partnership and research frameworks for libraries'
early years work, as well as opportunities in this area of activity.
- A powerpoint presentation
- In the next few months, to celebrate the Getting a Head Start
promotion, The Library Association is encouraging all library authorities
to present to their local EYCDP or Sure Start Partnership and to become permanent
members of these partnerships.
- An Early Years
Questionnaire - It is essential that The Library Association maintains
an overall picture of libraries work in this area. Libraries work with the
Sure Start Unit has been powerfully supported by our ability to present a
national overview of activity. Questionnaires
should be completed by 6th April 2001.
Please feedback how useful you find this pack, and let me know of any other
ways in which the Library Association can support your work in this area.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Douglas
Professional Adviser - Youth & School Libraries
Email: Jonathan.Douglas@la-hq.org.uk
The Library Association
March 2001
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