The specific types and content of programs often vary from one district to the next, to reflect the needs of a particular community. Nonetheless, all are designed to help create a full environment for literacy and reading by engaging school personnel and parents as well as students. This outreach is producing a whole new constituency of readers. Librarians give students information about the library and excite them about books. These visits also dispel the notion that the Library might be a strange or intimidating place.
Students know they can see a familiar and friendly face when they visit the library on their own.
Workshops for parents and caregivers recognize the crucial role the home environment plays in helping children to become better readers. Many immigrants are delighted to know that public libraries also offer free adult literacy instruction and programs in English for Speakers of Other Languages. Workshops with teachers provide a forum for exchanging ideas, information, and programming techniques. Ways in which the library's collections and services can support and enhance classroom activities are emphasized. Teachers are provided with recommended titles for children and young adults.