Our state and community landscapes changed:

• A new study ranks Oklahoma 50th in the US in education.
• New studies are revealing the impact of COVID on young children, and caregivers need real ways to support development.
• In 2019, only 29% of OK 4th graders read proficiently.
  In our service area:
• 35% of homes have kids under age 9. 8% of citizens speak a language other than English.

Kits were outdated:

• Rhyme books were offered only in English OR Spanish rather than bilingual.
• The original singalong list was housed on a CD.
  How we shared kits missed a big piece of our community:
• While made available to all families in the service area, mainly those who visited or attended programs benefited.
• We were not reaching those who could not make it to a library for many reasons: language and accessibility barriers, low income, lack of transportation, etc., yet these underserved groups likely needed help most.

Lastly, the overall production of kits was costly.

• PLS was the only library to apply for and receive funds from Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success to rebrand and reorder kits.
• Graphics were redesigned to appeal to kids and tailored song lyrics to each unique culture.
• Updated materials now provide caregiver tips, like the "why" and "how" of developing early literacy skills.
• Singalong songs were remade into a bilingual YouTube playlist accessible for 24-7 virtual learning.
• Eligible ages rose from 4 to 5, aligning with school enrollment & Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library age range eligibility.
• The grant enabled partnership with 32 childcare centers, 30% located in low income, high-need areas.
• All children’s staff trained on the updated goals and techniques of GLAR, focusing on increasing access to underserved populations.
• Librarians reached new audiences by demonstrating pre-reading skills, supporting parents or caregivers in nurturing those skills, and navigating to relevant digital resources.

Recognizing much has changed since 2009, we adapted GLAR to equip families for today’s challenges and move the needle in improving school readiness for children in Oklahoma. Since the refresh in fall 2023:

• The same number of GLAR kits (1,000+) given out in a year were distributed in an 8-month period.
• Kits dispersed at 32 childcare centers in underserved areas garnered positive feedback; for many, this was baby’s first book for their at-home library.
• By including related services in kits like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we increased sign-ups, enrolling 50% of eligible children in our service area.
• We saw a 33% increase in children regularly using the library and a 34% increase in early literacy program attendance. GLAR-focused email marketing re-engaged 7,720 families.
• The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, the state’s early childhood advisory council, highlighted us on social media for leading in the area of improving early literacy and development.

Additional Materials:

• “Before” Kits (2009): Poster | Sample

• “After” Kits (2023): Growing Like a Read

• In the News
  • "Growing Like a Read," Oklahoma Clearninghouse
  • "Oklahoma ranked 50th worst state for education, new study reports," The Oklahoman
  • Oklahoma Clearinghouse Social Post 1
  • Oklahoma Clearinghouse Social Post 2
• Songs and Rhymes Video Playlist
• Additional Photos: 1 | 2