Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Cleveland Public Library is On the Road....to Reading! In 2024, Cleveland Public Library rebooted and expanded its early literacy outreach initiative, On the Road to Reading. This innovative outreach program transports Library resources and services beyond our buildings and into the community by meeting young children and families where they are—at childcare centers, clinical settings, community centers, schools, parks, and beyond. Using our early literacy outreach van and dedicated outreach team, the program creates opportunities for children and families to play, learn, and grow together by sharing access to free, culturally relevant books, Library resources, cozy reading spaces, and early literacy programming in community spaces. This program has opened new outreach opportunities for the Library, and our team would love to share our experience launching, delivering, evaluating, and adapting this program with others who are passionate about Library Youth and Outreach services.
Regardless of whether a library can procure an outreach vehicle and secure dedicated outreach staff, we have a wealth of experiences to share that can be useful for library staff across Northeast Ohio. From building relationships with strategic community partners to tips on engaging childcare center staff, we are excited to share what we’ve learned in a dynamic session that will be relevant to anyone interested in expanding their Library’s early literacy outreach efforts. Participants in this session will be energized and inspired to bring new ideas back to their home libraries. The session will also include opportunities for brainstorming and ideas-sharing relating to outreach services to children and families.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key strategies for launching and sustaining early literacy outreach services, including building partnerships, selecting service locations, and adapting services to meet community needs, with or without a dedicated outreach vehicle or staff.
- Describe effective methods for engaging young children, families, and childcare providers in community-based early literacy programming, using culturally relevant materials, play-based learning, and flexible service models.
- Develop at least one actionable idea for expanding or enhancing early literacy outreach services at their own libraries.
Presenters:
Maggie Lawrence, MLIS, has a background in academic and children's librarianship, and joined Cleveland Public Library in 2023 where she currently serves as the Outreach & Programming Services Associate for Early Literacy. She is passionate about children's literature and the transformative possibilities that libraries can bring.
Isabelle Rew, MLIS, is the Community Outreach Manager for the Cleveland Public Library. She has worked in public libraries in northeast Ohio since 2017 in roles ranging from Public Services to Community Outreach and Engagement. Isabelle is passionate about bringing library programs and services directly to our neighbors through joyful literacy experiences in non-traditional spaces—one story and one stop at a time.Online via Zoom
UNITED STATES
Competencies: Community Engagement and Programming
Non-Member Cost: $40
NEO-RLS Bronze Member Cost: $24
NEO-RLS Silver Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Gold Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Individual Member Cost: $20
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2/5/2026
Children
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