Crash Course in Family Literacy Programs - Softcover

Chance, Rosemary; Sheneman, Laura

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1598848887 ISBN 13: 9781598848885

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2012

Synopsis

This book collects the research on literacy, information regarding the importance of reading to children, sources of funding, and places to find information about literacy programs in the 50 states―all in a single volume.

Family literacy programs can be remarkably effective in helping families who struggle in various areas of literacy or supporting their children's academic needs.Crash Course in Family Literacy Programs provides an introduction and an overview of this critical subject, defining what literacy, family literacy, and family literacy events are, and covering critical topics such as sources of funding, conclusions of recent research, and bilingual family literacy.

The first half of the book is focused on laying out background information about family literacy, while the remainder provides practical how-to information for public and school libraries to develop their own family literacy programming. The book shows perspectives of public librarians, school principals, children's book store owners, and school personnel who have successfully implemented a family literacy program. Planning sheets and lesson templates are included, making it easy to develop a family literacy program.

About this title

About the Author

Rosemary Chance, PhD, is assistant professor in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Before teaching at the university level, she worked as a school librarian for 14 years. She earned her doctorate in library science from Texas Woman's University in Denton. Her published works include Libraries Unlimited's Young Adult Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide. Laura Sheneman, EdD, is the Coordinator of Library Services for Harlingen CISD, Texas and adjunct professor in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Previously, she served as an elementary school librarian.

Reviews

The material in this slim volume is presented in a dry, unengaging, and somewhat disjointed manner, and the intended audience is unclear. Although the book seeks to address public and/or school librarians and library administrators, it is uncertain whether it succeeds at reaching any of these target audiences effectively. It begins by providing a general definition of literacy, and of family literacy specifically, and a discussion of the socioeconomic and cultural variables to development, at-risk populations, and barriers to literacy. Subsequent chapters include information about funding sources and the grant-application process; research about family literacy and the importance of reading; national model family literacy initiatives; the planning, publicity, and assessment of family literacy events; parent-child literacy interaction; and bilingual/multicultural family literacy. Samples of family literacy programs, with book titles and related activities, are provided. An appendix includes interviews with a public librarian, a school librarian, a school principal, and a reading specialist regarding family literacy. It is surprising that although the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) initiative, Every Child Ready to Read at Your Library, is briefly mentioned, there is no in-depth discussion of this program, although other national programs not as relevant to public and school libraries are discussed in greater depth. Although references are listed after every chapter, no list of recommended books, websites, and resources is provided. For more comprehensive information on this topic, see Susan B. Neuman and David K. Dickinson's Handbook of Early Literacy Research (Guilford, 2011) and Patricia A. Edwards's Children's Literacy Development: Making It Happen Through School, Family, and Community Involvement (Allyn & Bacon, 2003). For practical information regarding planning effective family literacy programs, see Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Diaz's Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library: Partnering with Caregivers for Success (ALA, 2005) and Kathryn Totten's Family Literacy Storytimes: Readymade Storytimes Suitable for the Whole Family (Neal-Schuman, 2009).-Francesca Burgess, Brooklyn Public Library, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Combining more than three decades of experience in elementary-school classrooms and media centers with doctoral studies in library science and education, respectively, Chance and Sheneman bring voices of experience and authority to Libraries Unlimited’s latest Crash Course edition. Although their target audience should already be convinced of the importance of promoting reading, the authors thoroughly define literacy and family literacy, give examples for funding sources, and discuss empirical support for the impact of reading throughout life. The second half of the book is given over to the how-to’s of family literacy events, special issues that may arise, and the need for bilingual and multicultural awareness. A valuable guide for first-timers that still manages to include useful tips for veterans, this is a solid choice for professional-reading collections at all levels of public and school libraries. --Genevieve Grove

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1598848887
• ISBN 13: 9781598848885
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 140