Early Literacy and Storytime Resources
Early Literacy Grants | Ready to Read | Demographic Data | Early Literacy Organizations | Additional Resources
2019-2022 Family Literacy Grant
2020-2021 Mini-Grants
The Finger Lakes Library System is offering mini-grants to member libraries as part of the 2019-2022 New York State Family Literacy Library Program: Ready to Read at New York Libraries through Public Library Systems. For the 2020-2021 grant year, $6,000 is available for mini-grants and each member library may apply for up to $250. The mini-grants may be used to purchase supplies and materials to support the library’s early literacy work. Early literacy is defined as being for children from birth through age 5 and their caregivers. Applications are being accepted from April 23, 2021 through May 7, 2021.
Mini-grant requirements:
- applicants must be libraries that are members of the Finger Lakes Library System,
- materials to be purchased must support the early literacy work of the library,
- applications must clearly indicate what is to be purchased (e.g. “storytime supplies” is not a sufficient description, but “child safety scissors, glue sticks, and storage bins” would be acceptable),
- purchased materials must be labeled “Purchased with funds from the New York State Library’s Family Literacy Library Services Program” (pre-printed labels will be available from FLLS),
- the grant will NOT cover food or taxes on purchases,
- to be reimbursed for grant purchases, recipients must fill out a Reimbursement Form and attach receipts,
- all purchases for reimbursement must be made by June 1, the reimbursement paperwork completed by June 4, and the final report submitted by June 9.
This mini-grant cycle may be competitive, based on the number of libraries that apply. Applications will be evaluated on clarity of what is to be purchased and how the purchase(s) tie into the library’s early literacy work.
Mini-grant application questions
Mini-grant application (due May 7, 2021)
Mini-grant final report questions
Mini-grant final report (due June 9, 2021) – Please wait to complete this report until after you have completed your purchases.
Mini-grant reimbursement form
For questions, please contact Heidi Eckerson at heckerson@flls.org or 607-273-4074 x 227.
To learn more about the New York State Family Literacy Library Services Program, visit http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/familylit/.
Ready to Read at New York Libraries
As part of the 2016-2019 New York State Family Literacy Library Services Program, the Finger Lakes Library System participated in the New York State Education Department’s Ready to Read at New York Libraries initiative. All five of the foundation training components were taught to interested FLLS member library staff between 2015 and 2018.
- Everyone Serves Families with Young Children, presentation and handbook
- Strengthening Young Families through Early Literacy Practices, presentation and handbook
- Early Literacy Community Asset Analysis, presentation and handbook
- Demographic data resources: PolicyMap, American Factfinder, NYS KWIC (Kids’ Well-being Indicators Clearinghouse), NYS education data
- Strategies for Successful Partnerships and Outreach to Families with Young Children, presentation and handbook
- Early Learning Spaces, presentation and handbook
Other Applicable Trainings
- Like, Share and Get Noticed (10/4/16)
- Yoga Storytime Training (6/22/17)
Demographic Data Resources:
- Children’s Defense Fund
- Diversity Data Kids
- Kids Count Data Center
- National Center for Education Statistics
- New York State School Report Card
- United Nations World Data
- United States Census Bureau
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Government’s Open Data
Early Literacy Organizations
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
- Child Care and Early Education Research Connections
- Early Childhood
- Get Ready to Read: Free Early Learning Resources
- National Institute for Early Education Research
Additional Resources
- DayByDayNY: an early literacy calendar with daily songs, stories, and more to help parents and educators build children’s literacy skills
- DayByDayNY Spanish: a Spanish version of the DayByDayNY early literacy calendar
- Stork Storytime Talks: a podcast produced by the North Liberty (Iowa) Community Library for expecting parents about early literacy
- Scholastic FACE Program: a program that provides books at a reduced cost to members so long as the books are given away to children
- Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy
- PBS Kids
- Read Aloud 15 Minutes
- FLLS Storytime Resources: Looking for a kit? Visit our Storytime Resources page.