Local libraries involve community partners to help with outreach efforts. The State Library works with statewide partners to raise awareness about the importance of the early years through media campaigns, presentations, a traveling display on brain development, a variety of support materials, and through the Read to Me website. The State Library provides training for librarians and other early childhood professionals about emergent literacy, collaboration and program implementation. The State Library partners with Idaho Public Television and local libraries to reach hundreds of additional children through the First Book Project. Funding provides one book per month for 12 months, allowing at-risk children to start a home library.
Librarians do monthly book activities and get the children signed up for library cards.
A partnership with the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs allows more migrant children and their families to participate in the Young Readers Program, an intensive summer reading program designed to improve reading skills. Over 13,000 Idaho children participate in library summer reading programs each year. The Idaho Summer Reading Program, sponsored by the State Library, provides a theme-based planning manual and materials to all public libraries. The Library also sponsors Idaho Family Reading Week in November to focus attention on how families and communities can make reading an important part of daily life. For more information about the Read to Me project. . . .