Following on from their ground-breaking first book, Delivering the Best Start, Rankin and Brock return to the subject of pre-school and early years library provision with contributions and case studies from innovators and experts around the world. There is a growing awareness of the significance of the first five years of life for intellectual, social and emotional development and early intervention is of political interest. This book provides knowledge and understanding about early language and literacy development and how young children become successful through enjoyable and meaningful experiences. Coverage includes: an examination of the key role of library practitioners who work with young children the importance of effective interdisciplinary teamwork for professionals working with the early years a focus on involving parents and carers and valuing their culture, language, heritage and community practical guidance given on setting up and running pre-school library services contributions and case studies from experts around the world. This book will be useful reading for early years professionals and librarians, those responsible for commissioning and delivering pre-school library services, students of library and information studies or childhood studies and practitioners undertaking practical early years qualifications.

Eclectic library reading programs for young children have blossomed across the nation over the last decade, encouraging in toddlers a fondness for the library and an excitement for the caches of books to be found there. Likewise, in an effort to promote a love of language in babies as young as three months old, scores of early childhood initiatives are beginning to sprout as well. Aimed at children's librarians and other professionals who work with very young children, this librarian-tested sourcebook provides complete programs that spotlight the value and necessity of singing, speaking, and reading to babies in their earliest months. Ten ready-to-use programs are divided for their intended audience: five for 'pre-walkers' and five for walkers. Marino combines rhymes involving body movement, songs, fingerplays, circle games, and books in ways that teach interaction skills with young children and help to enrich their language and enhance their listening capabilities. Several of the rhymes are repeated in a take-home section to aid librarians and others in charge of children's programs to present parents and caregivers with the tools they need to use rhymes and activities whenever and wherever they want. A helpful bibliography lists the best picture books, programming books, rhyme collections, and numerous recordings that are suitable for very young children. The captivating activities in Babies in the Library will delight the youngest library users while making it easy for librarians to create programs for this important and growing segment of the library population.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is now statutory in the UK for children from birth to five years, and other countries are experiencing similar developments; early years librarians, teachers, nursery nurses, playgroup leaders and childminders all require knowledge of how to promote and encourage communication, language and literary skills. Parental reading with young children is clearly vitally important, and libraries are uniquely placed to support the development of literacy skills in pre-school children. This book provides an understanding of how children develop such skills through enjoyable and meaningful learning experiences, and is a pioneering practical guide for library and information professionals involved in planning and delivering services in early years libraries. Drawing on the authors' underpinning contemporary research and examples from current best practice, it will equip practitioners with a broad range of knowledge and ideas. Key areas covered include: take them to the library: the role of the early years professional people and partnerships: working across interdisciplinary boundaries, and how to involve parents and carers buildings, design and space: the children's libraries of the future resources for early years libraries: books, toys and other delights reaching your audience: the librarian's role planning and organizing: projects and reading sessions. User-friendly and accessible, each chapter is clearly structured and sets outs the key issues for practitioners, scenarios offering insights into these, and practical ideas and resources for service provision. The book also includes case studies of successful pre-school library initiatives in a variety of global settings, useful information about relevant organizations, and links to helpful websites. This valuable text is essential reading for all library and information professionals working with young children - whether those with responsibility for the strategic planning of services, or those involved in delivering them at community level. Readership: Essential for students of library and information studies or childhood studies, and practitioners undertaking NVQ qualifications, it also provides a sound background in early years literacy and provision for a range of local authority practitioners, such as nursery teachers and Children's Centre managers.

A call to action for libraries serving children. Honouring the accomplishments of children's services pioneers of the past, Virginia Walter evaluates the current situation and envisions futures where children, technology and libraries intersect.