COMMUNITY
the impact of partnership IN 2018, COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY (CML) AND MARBURN ACADEMY engaged in a year-long collaborative partnership to enhance CML’s Reading Buddies program. Here, Kathy Shahbodaghi, Public Services Director at Columbus Metropolitan Library, reflects on the impact of the program over the 2019-2020 school year. What is Reading Buddies? Since 2014, Columbus Metropolitan Library’s (CML) Reading Buddies program has offered 15-minute, one-on-one reading time with a CML staff member or volunteer for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. The program was developed in response to Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee, which showed that an alarming number of central Ohio students were not proficient in reading. How did Marburn enhance the program? Throughout the 2018-2019 school year, Marburn worked closely with library staff, volunteers, and administration to hone a skill and strength-based approach to em10 Marburn Magazine 2020
power staff and volunteers with tools that reinforce essential reading skills. This new iteration of Reading Buddies was deployed at all 23 branches of the library starting in August of 2019. Why did a partnership with Marburn Academy appeal to the library? Marburn Academy is a leader in research-based educational best practices and is a recognized expert in helping students of all ability levels learn to read. At CML, we are focused on using developmentally appropriate practices in our Young Minds’ work. Like Marburn, we are relationship focused, data-driven, and recognized the value a partnership with Marburn could bring to our work with students. Specifically, staff and leadership recognized the varied learning differences with the students we serve and looked to Marburn as an expert resource for direction on best practices for helping all students learn to read. How has the new iteration of Reading Buddies impacted stu-
dents, families, library staff, and volunteers? Students now receive instruction targeted to their reading level and skills while also having their reading strengths highlighted. This skill and strength-based approach has given many new readers positive experiences. Families receive updates on their
Stephanie Royal, Marburn’s Director of Outreach, instructs CML’s Branch Managers on implementing new tools in the Reading Buddies program.
child’s progress via in-person conversations with the staff or volunteer that worked with their child. This reading update is a new connection between caregivers and library staff since, in the past, CML did not consistently follow-up with caregivers. Library staff now have a structured approach to Reading Buddies.
