Children's Programming Initiative
The Children's Programming Initiative offers essential early literacy, social development, and enrichment for children from birth through high school, aligned with the PA Forward Literacies: Basic, Information, Civic and Social, Health, and Financial. Serving families with children up to age 18, the library provides over 200 programs annually that focus on literacy, financial literacy, health, and food security.
This initiative plays a vital role in fostering literacy and well-being in the community through a multifaceted approach. It offers crucial Basic Literacy instruction, featuring Story Times that develop pre-reading skills, along with digital resources like Hoopla and Beanstack, providing children with 24/7 access to books and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. In addition to supporting health and social connection, the initiative hosts safe group programs for children and caregivers and free community movie nights to combat social isolation, particularly in rural areas. By equipping children with foundational literacy skills necessary for high school graduation, the program supports future financial stability and delivers significant savings for families. Overall, the library stands as a vital, free resource for early childhood enrichment and cultural programming, especially for those experiencing a "digital divide."