Family Reading Time

On Sunday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m., I couldn't decide on which session to attend. I can't believe I am saying this, but no session looked particulary interesting to me in that time slot. So I chose to go to Prime Time Family Reading Time and as it turns out, it was one of the best sessions I attended.

Prime Time Family Reading Time is a family literacy program which uses the humanities as a tool to create excitement about reading (it is funded primarily by the National Endowment For the Humanities). The program targets families underserved or never served: low income, low literacy skills, and limited or no English Language abilities. The program engages parents and/or caregivers and their 6 to 10 year old children who are at-risk due to poor reading ability. Pre-reading activities are provided for younger siblings.

The program is held once a week for 6 to 8 weeks; it is 90 minutes long. A trained storyteller uses provided children's literature to demonstrate effective read aloud techniques , and a trained scholar facilitates discussions based on the texts and humanities themes such as fairness, greed, courage and dreams. The provided children's literature are award-winning, culturally diverse books. Each session also includes a five minute talk by a librarian which introduces library resources to the families.

The next presenter was a Librarian from the Kalamazoo Public Library who actually hosted the program. She reiterated what was covered, but also included that the program took place during closed hours. Each of the weekly sessions began with everyone, participants and presenters having dinner together. (Apparently, the resources to provide a meal were in the same building as the library). This gave a chance to develop trust, relationships, and familiarity.

Many of the questions for the Kalamazoo librarian dealt with cost, staff availability, etc.

My question to the speakers had to do with hosting the program in an expansive rural setting: how to overcome transportation challenges for those who do not either have a car or cannot afford gas for their car. A rural librarian from Nevada mentioned that she gives her participants certificates for gas. She has also brought the program into the community.

This session was definitely food for thought.

For more information visit the Louisiana Endowment For the Humanities