Early Learning
Museums and libraries have special roles in meeting the needs of the youngest learners and their caregivers.
Partnership: Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
In recognition of the role that museums and libraries play in early learning, the Institute of Museum and Library Services is supporting projects that further the goals the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, including school readiness, summer reading loss, and chronic school absence.
Partnership: Head Start, Child Care, and Public Libraries
This partnership between IMLS and the HHS Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Head Start and Office of Child Care encourages collaboration between early childhood programs and public libraries to help meet the educational needs of young children and their families.
National Initiative: Let's Move! Museums & Gardens
This new national initiative will provide opportunities for millions of museum and garden visitors to learn about healthy food choices and promote physical activity through interactive exhibits and programs.
Search the Awarded Grants database for grants to programs that strengthen early learning (issue areas have only been assigned to grants awarded since FY 2009)
Early learning content on the IMLS website:
September 27, 2012 07:52 AM
Museums and libraries will address school readiness and summer reading loss.
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April 24, 2012 01:40 PM
IMLS and the Administration for Children and Families are teaming up to spur collaboration between Head Start and child care programs and libraries to enhance early learning.
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December 2, 2011 03:42 PM
IMLS is committing up to $2 million of FY12 National Leadership Grant funds to advance the goals of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading. The agency has scheduled two Web conferences for prospective applicants to learn more about this new opportunity.
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August 3, 2012 01:18 PM
IMLS went to check in with the Pacific island recipients of Grants to State Library Administrative Agencies and found a wealth of programs to benefit early learners.
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July 18, 2012 12:41 PM
We know that more than 80 percent of children in poverty are not reading at grade level by the third grade, and many other children are falling behind as well; libraries and museums are taking up the challenge to improve learning outcomes for young children.
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May 10, 2012 03:06 PM
HHS urges offices of Child Care and Head Start to partner with libraries to support child development.
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The Family Place model is helping several California public libraries rethink their children’s programming. They’re taking services for their youngest readers beyond storytime by providing interactive children’s spaces that foster child and family development.
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The Minnesota Children’s Museum and area libraries are teaming up to create interactive exhibits that reflect each neighborhood’s unique character and spur pre-reading skills.
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Early experiences with books and language lay the foundation for a child’s later reading success and school achievement. Libraries across the country are reaching young learners in innovative ways. This profile explores literacy programs in Alaska and Kansas that are preparing young readers long before they enter the classroom.
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Quick summary of the impact of library services for early learning.
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