Background on the Cruise into Kindergarten Initiative
Pennsylvania’s public libraries are passionately committed to strengthening children’s early learning. The Cruise into Kindergarten initiative was designed to provide a recognizable umbrella for the library’s early literacy programs and outreach throughout the state.
History
In 2013, Pennsylvania Public Libraries received funding through a Library Services and Technology (LSTA) grant to begin the Cruise into Kindergarten initiative. Three key components defined the umbrella of services that were provided:
- print resources in the form of informational brochures on early literacy for parents and caregivers and window clings for Cruise into Kindergarten participating libraries; and
- online resources in the form of an interactive game board for children with tips, booklists and early learning links for parents and caregivers & an internal website for librarians with early learning resources, information, trainings, online courses, videos, and customizable newsletters; and
- programming resources in the form of child, parent and family & childcare provider programs that incorporate Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library (ECRR) best practices and Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.
Steering Committee
A steering committee was selected from libraries across the state to guide the development and implementation of resources and outreach.