Reminder that the Deadline for this Contest is March 25, 2011

New Jersey State Library to Hold Best Practices in Early Literacy Contest

We need your Best Practices Award entries. Why? Because we want to have solid proof that New Jersey public libraries are excelling at early learning programming and making a difference for the future of New Jersey. We want to share the impact New Jersey\x92s public libraries make on so many young lives and show why public libraries are deserving of continued and increased funding at all levels. Now is the time to share your best practices.

We want to recognize four public libraries from across New Jersey with innovative and successful programs currently in place for children from birth to six years, their families and caregivers. The winning public libraries will each receive a $500 award from the New Jersey State Library. Each of the winners will be asked to present their winning programs in a panel presentation called \x93Early Literacy @ Your Library\x94 for the NJ Head Start Association Professional Development Conference at the Atlantic City Hilton Hotel from May 10 \x96 13, 2011 (exact date to be determined). The State Library will also publish a booklet highlighting the 2009 and 2011 early literacy award winning programs and distribute it at the Head Start and NJLA conferences. The winners should plan to present their program at the Head Start conference.

We are looking for applications from public libraries that saw a need for an early literacy program in their libraries and created the early literacy program to fulfill this need. Eligible libraries will include those that offer creative and innovative early literacy programs in libraries for children from birth to age 6. The programs must be able to be replicated in similar communities and have to have been proven effective in reaching the targeted audience.

The application must include a short description of the rationale for creating the program; how the creation of the program solved this need and include quotes from library staff in support of the program. The application should also include how many sessions the library held; how many children, families or caregivers participated; and how the program was publicized. Please submit copies of any flyers or brochures for the program, press releases, newspaper articles or photos.

Pennsylvania Public Library Association has done an Early Learning Forum and Best Practices Award for a number of years and examples of their award winning programs may be found at http://www.palibraries.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=49

Four winners will be chosen by April 4, 2011 and the winning public libraries will be notified that week.

We look forward to sharing your award-winning innovative programming at the Head Start Conference, NJLA Conference and other appropriate venues.

The deadline for the Best Practices Award entries is March 25, 2011. Send your submissions by e-mail to Sharon Rawlins, Youth Services Consultant, NJ State Library at srawlins@PROTECTED.

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