Login  |  Register          Free Newsletter Subscription
Subscribe to SLJ Magazine
Email
Print
Reprint
Learn RSS

Congress OKs Head Start Bill

Law calls for more collaboration with libraries

-- School Library Journal, 12/1/2007

More Head Start programs will be working closely with libraries now that the House and Senate have passed the Improving Head Start Act, which recognizes the important role that libraries play in improving literacy.

“The legislation says that a good Head Start program includes collaboration with a library,” says Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association's Washington office. “It means that more libraries—especially those in high poverty areas—will be able to offer innovative, high-quality programming.” This is the first time that Congress has mentioned libraries in the federal early childhood development program, aimed at increasing school readiness for kids who come from low-income families. As a result, Head Start will be encouraged to partner with school and public libraries on events such as storytime, promoting the use of library cards, providing new books in Head Start classrooms, and giving parents and caregivers support in literacy efforts.

Last spring, the leaders of the Association for Library Service to Children, the American Association of School Librarians, and the Young Adult Library Services Association met with members of the House and Senate during ALA's National Legislative Day to lobby for inclusion of libraries in the bill. The law doesn't earmark additional funds, but libraries can request reimbursement for expenditures—ranging from books to supplies. The bill will now head to President Bush's desk for his signature.

Email
Print
Reprint
Learn RSS

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Post a comment

» VIEW ALL TALKBACK THREADS

Related Content

Related Content

 

By This Author

There are no other articles written by this author.

Sponsored Links




 
Advertisement

More Content

  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Photos

Blogs

  • Brian Kenney
    Brian Unbound

    June 13, 2007
    Getting with the 21st Century
    I've really been hitting the road this month, travelling more than I normally like. But there have b...
    More
  • Joyce Valenza
    NeverEndingSearch

    June 11, 2007
    NeverendingSearch: Join me in leading from the center
    Welcome to my new blog. What I hope to bring to this space is a discussion of current practice and p...
    More
  • » VIEW ALL BLOGS RSS

Photos

Advertisements





SLJ NEWSLETTERS
Click on a title below to learn more.

Extra Helping
Curriculum Connections
SLJTeen
©2008 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of this Web site is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Please visit these other Reed Business sites