Library foundation receives $25K grant for early literacy program

The Springfield-Greene County Library Foundation has received a $25,000 grant from the Darr Family Foundation to support Ladders to Literacy, a new initiative to strengthen school readiness and equip childcare providers with early literacy education tools.

Bridget Dierks, executive director for the library foundation, said investing in early childhood education is one of the most effective ways the library can help improve literacy outcomes for young children.

“We know that children from low-income households often face barriers when learning to read,” Dierks said in a news release. “Our library district can help them by bringing reading tools, lessons and fun activities directly to caregivers and educators so early literacy becomes part of their everyday interactions.”

The program helps the Springfield-Greene County Library District partner with roughly 40 childcare classrooms, prioritizing sites that serve children with the greatest needs.

According to the release, childcare providers will receive practical tools and training to incorporate research-based early literacy practices into their daily routines.

The funding helps develop the program and pay for educational materials, classroom resources, training and books for children during the two-year initiative.

Heather Zoromski, executive director of the Darr Family Foundation, said its mission is to empower youth to overcome barriers to opportunity.

“The foundation recognizes that one of the most important indicators of a child’s future success is early literacy,” said Zoromski. “We are excited about this partnership and grateful that we have an incredible library system providing these opportunities to our youngest readers.”

The two-year initiative builds on the library’s Racing to Read early literacy framework.