Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library

Saroj Ghoting, an early childhood literacy consultant, worked on the PLA/ALSC initiative, Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library[registered]. She implemented the program at Maryland's Montgomery County Public Library when she was Early Childhood Services Coordinator. A children's librarian since 1976, she stays in touch with public service by working at Neill Public Library (Pullman, WA) and Moscow (ID) Public Library. She received her MLS from Catholic University. Pamela Martin-Diaz is currently Shawnee Branch Manager in the Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN and chair of PLA's Services to Preschool Children and Their Caregivers Committee. For more than 25 years, she has worked with children, youth and families in public libraries. She was instrumental in writing an early literacy grant (funded by the Lilly Foundation) to establish early literacy centers in branches and for materials to help parents promote letter and sound awareness with their children. She earned her MLS from the University of Chicago.

Research confirms that reading success starts with young Children enjoying library storytimes! Preschoolers' earliest experiences with books and reading are important; parent/caregiver knowledge can build on those experiences, according to research from the National Institute of Child Health & Development, conducted with PLA and ALSC, the co-initiators of the