Our Story
The idea for the Fostering Readers project was first devised in February of 2016 by Katie Anderson (State Library of Oregon) and Bryce Kozla (Washington County Cooperative Library Services [WCCLS]). They were able to secure a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant administered by the State Library to fund the project.
In early 2017, the State Library of Oregon, WCCLS, and OregonASK agreed to partner on the Fostering Readers LSTA-funded project. In October 2017, Katie left the State Library and joined WCCLS. With the Youth Services Consultant position vacant, the State Library could no longer be a partner and asked WCCLS to take over the project. WCCLS agreed! WCCLS and OregonASK recruited four experts (two Reading Specialists and two Youth Services Librarians) to work on the research and development of the Fostering Readers materials. WCCLS was the fiscal agent on this project, with Katie and Bryce acting as co-project-managers. OregonASK created a training certified with the Oregon Registry, prepared the materials for publication, and provided expertise on curriculum development and the afterschool experience. OregonASK also volunteered their space for numerous meetings throughout the year. Thanks to enthusiastic support from libraries and afterschool programs, the Fostering Readers team was awarded LSTA funding for a second year of development. As a result, the team was able to run a pilot project to try out and strengthen the materials. |
Fostering Readers provides the information and resources public library and afterschool program staff need to plan, implement, and evaluate research-based literacy programs for K-3rd grade children who are learning how to read.
We hope that these materials will help library staff and afterschool providers:
Libraries and afterschool programs are essential community partners in the effort to increase the number of children reading at grade level by the end of third grade, which is a key indicator for high school success (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2012). We are proud to provide you with Fostering Readers materials to support this important work, thanks to support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon. |