Early Literacy Initiatives
Maryland Day By Day Family Literacy Activity Calendar
Published by the Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA) in 2019, caregivers, educators, and librarians can use the Maryland Day By Day Family Literacy Activity Calendar at home, or in the library or classroom. This calendar is a "Forever" perpetual calendar, meaning the daily, interactive activities supporting reading, math, science, nature, and physical activity can be enjoyed year after year. In addition to suggesting activities using materials found at home, this calendar provides lists of books and music found at your local public library, along with tips and resources for families regarding reading to babies, arts and crafts, music, and information about the history, geography, and culture of Maryland.
Hatchlings
The Hatchlings program is an early literacy program designed to reach expectant parents and families of newborns to plant the roots of early literacy development through in-person and outreach programming. Families learn the importance of daily early reading (sharing books), singing, and bonding with their babies in Ready to Hatch (before the baby is born) and in In the Nest (after the baby arrives). Through these interactive programs, families learn that families that literacy begins before birth and continues in the earliest months of life and that as parents, they are their babies’ first and most important teacher. The Hatchlings program also helps families discover how librarians and library early literacy programs can support and engage expectant families and families with newborns through their preschool years. The Hatchlings early literacy program has been developed in Maryland through funding provided by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Maryland public libraries offer programs, events, and materials for children, teens, and adults year-round. However, Maryland public libraries’ Summer Library Programs are designed to encourage elementary-aged and teens to keep reading, engaging, and learning over the summer break from school. For many, the public library is the only community space available during the summer months where children and teens can access free educational, entertaining, cultural, and nutritional activities and programs. Maryland is a state member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), enabling the Maryland State Library Agency to provide resources and promotional materials to all Maryland public libraries annually in support of their summer library programs. Recent Summer Library Program statewide partners include the Maryland State Fair, the Baltimore Orioles, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Science Center, and the National Aquarium.
STEM & Technology Education
Maryland public libraries are dedicated to helping youth realize their potential roles as creators and contributors of digital content, rather than mere consumers. The Maryland State Library Agency believes this will contribute to feelings of personal efficacy as well as opening doors to education and career paths that would otherwise be unattainable. MSLA strives to provide broad and creative access to the tools and emerging technologies available today so that youth will be ready to enter the workforce by possessing the necessary technological skills. Program partners include Futuremakers and Balti-virtual. Maryland public libraries offer STEM programming to youth of all ages and their families through the use of innovative maker spaces and STEM kits and by partnering with a variety of organizations such as local astronomy clubs and environmental groups. Maryland public libraries are a strong supporter of the Maryland STEM Festival, a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that takes place every fall, as they host a variety of programs and events that offer fun, interactive science learning opportunities. From Distance Learning conversations with NASA experts to hack-a-thons that foster cybersecurity and coding skills, Maryland public libraries offer STEM programs to engage youth of all ages and their families.
The Make-it Place
The Make-It Place STEM repository is a digital space where Maryland public librarians can create and locate activities and ideas to help create engaging STEM activities for youth of all ages. Visit The Make-IT Place Hub, part of the Open Educational Resources Commons, to learn how to program a drone, create a video game, build a drawing robot, and more!
Teen Services
Maryland public libraries strive to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of teens in their communities through a variety of programs, resources, and services.
Teen Connect
The Maryland State Library Agency supports an annual conference for Maryland public and school libraries’ youth services staff to further professional development, discussion, and sharing amongst library staff providing services for and with teens.
