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Myrna Chelko Literacy Initiatives

Myrna ChelkoMyrna Chelko Literacy Initiatives are made possible through a generous donation in honor of Myrna Chelko, a steadfast supporter of public libraries.

She served on WPPL's Board of Trustees and was instrumental in the creation of the Friends of Porter Public Library and the Westlake Porter Library Foundation.

Little Sprouts Early Literacy Initiative

The Little Sprouts Early Literacy Initiative is open to children ages 4 and under. Participating in this initiative will help build the habits that foster early literacy development and lifelong learning. Literacy and language development are closely linked to a baby's earliest positive experiences with parents and caregivers.

Little Sprouts Myrna Chelko Literacy Initiative
number one

Register for the WPPL 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program and log your first 50 books.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Reading together before your child starts school builds a solid foundation for learning.

Track your books on Beanstack and earn digital badges—use your browser or an app available at the Apple App Store or Google Play.

number two

Enroll in the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library Program.

Ohio Governor's Imagination Library logo

Through a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library is working to send every child in Ohio from birth to age five a new book each month. Enroll online to receive monthly updates on book delivery as well as reading tips to help your child get the most out of their Imagination Library membership.

number three

Attend three storytimes at WPPL (virtual or in person).

Check the calendar for future storytimes.

Upcoming Storytimes
Tue, Mar 19, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Mar 19, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Wed, Mar 20, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Storytime Room

Wed, Mar 20, 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Storytime Room

Thu, Mar 21, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Mar 21, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Sat, Mar 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room

Sun, Mar 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Storytime Room

Tue, Mar 26, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Mar 26, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Wed, Mar 27, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Storytime Room

Thu, Mar 28, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Mar 28, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Fri, Mar 29, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Storytime Room

Tue, Apr 02, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Apr 02, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Wed, Apr 03, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Storytime Room

Wed, Apr 03, 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Storytime Room

Thu, Apr 04, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Apr 04, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Thu, Apr 04, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Storytime Room
Registration opens Thursday, March 28 2024 at 9:00am

Sat, Apr 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Apr 09, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Apr 09, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Wed, Apr 10, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Storytime Room

Thu, Apr 11, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Apr 11, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Sat, Apr 13, 11:00am - 11:45am
Storytime Room
Registration opens Saturday, April 6 2024 at 9:00am

Mon, Apr 15, 10:00am - 10:30am
Storytime Room

number four

Check out a Sprout Early Literacy Backpack.

Search the catalog for Sprout Early LearningEach themed backpack includes books and activities with easy-to-follow activity guides that make learning fun! All materials are developmentally appropriate for young children and reinforce early literacy concepts needed for school success. Search the catalog for Sprout Early Learning!

number five

Complete 3 Kindergarten Readiness Activities.

Check out our Early Literacy blog posts, print or pick up an Early Literacy Activity calendar, or contact Youth Services for suggestions to complete the challenge.

Visit our blog site for early literacy activities like Free Play for ages 3 and under and KinderClub for ages 3 and up!

Early Literacy Activities Calendar

Early Literacy Calendar thumbnailEach month print out a bright and colorful activity-packed calendar page to share with your family. Based on the Every Child Ready to Read® practices of reading, writing, singing, talking, playing, and counting, each PDF contains a month's worth of learning activities, book lists, nursery rhymes, and more.

mini Suma stuffed animalIn addition to a fun and creative beginning to a lifetime of learning, every participant who completes the challenge receives a mini Suma the Puma to continue taking on their adventures!

Suma is featured in storytimes and videos created by WPPL staff. When she's not exploring, she can be found on her perch above Youth Services.

Reading Is Elementary

Children in Kindergarten through 4th Grade are invited to join the Reading Is Elementary Literacy Initiative. Complete badges to earn a reward and a book! Sign up on Beanstack or stop by the Youth Services desk.

Reading Is Elementary Myrna Chelko Literacy Initiative
number 1

Attend WPPL Programs!

Attend three WPPL Literacy Initiative programs. Check the calendar for the next one.

number 2

Build Literacy Skills!

Grab and complete a Literacy Skills packet from Youth Services.

number 3

Read a Book!

Read a book recommended by a librarian, on a book list or in a WPPL blog post.

Hunt for Clues!

Stop by Youth Services to complete the WPPL Literacy Scavanger Hunt!

number 5

Challenge Yourself!

Join and finish a reading challenge on Beanstack.

Bonus

BONUS!

Get a Library Card!

Sign up for a library card or show us the one you already have for a bonus reward!

small stuffed giraffeWhen you have completed all five badges, you will have earned two prizes!

You will receive your own book to keep and you can choose either a mini Zara the Giraffe or a backpack.

Zara is one of the wild and fuzzy denizens of Youth Services who occasionally helps out with storytimes and social media.

100 Books Before Graduation

Read On badgeFuel Up badgeDream Big badgeOur newest Reading Challenge is for students in grades 5-12. Read 100 books before graduating high school!

Log your reading in Beanstack and earn a new set of badges. Each badge that you earn along the way is equal to one entry into a quarterly grand prize raffle for a gift card. Reach 100 total books read and earn a WPPL coffee tumbler!