Program Essentials for California Library Literacy Services
Families for Literacy (FFL)
In a continuing effort to break the cycle of low literacy, the mission of Families for Literacy services is to offer coordinated adult literacy and early-literacy services to families that include a low literate adult caregiver and at least one pre-school child.
Families for Literacy is designed as an “inreach” program that supports the adult learner population. Therefore, an adult caregiver must be enrolled in an adult literacy program and is the primary focus of family literacy instruction.
Essential Components of Families for Literacy include the following:
- Literacy services for the adult caregiver
- Parenting education
- Parent and child time together
- Orientation to library & other community resources
- Enrichment of the family environment through free book distribution
- Early literacy approaches that assist with school readiness
Program Essentials for Families for Literacy include the following:
- Families served in FFL contain an adult learner and at least 1 child under age 5.
- Volunteer tutors who work with participating adult caregivers are trained in and support family literacy concepts and practices.
- FFL programming is provided for the adult and child together.
- If FFL programming is provided outside the public library setting, a strong connection to the library is made.
- Adult caregivers are given instruction in the use of children’s books, in reading to children, in the selection of books on topics such as parenting, childcare, health, nutrition and family life education, and in how to create a literacy-rich environment at home.
- FFL programming includes activities like storytelling, word games and other exercises designed to promote the enjoyment of reading are taught to adult caregivers so that they can share with their children.
- Participating families receive free children’s books for ownership, as well as other reading materials and incentives.
- Literacy and other library staff cooperate, partner and collaborate to assure integration of library services for participating adult caregivers and children.