How to be a Literacy-Focused Family with the Library by Eric Hughes, all photos provided by Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
November is National Family Literacy Month. The ability to read, write and learn are among the most important keys to lifetime success for every individual. One tried and true way to ensure this success for your family is to practice solid literacy habits. Aim for a little reading time every day. The written word can be a ready solution for everything from entertainment to building skills to resolving life’s many challenges, and the public library stands ready to help.
DISCOVER BOOKS & MORE | HCPLC.org/Books Hillsborough County public libraries have a large selection of books in print and digital formats, including fiction and nonfiction, audiobooks and read-along titles. The unique offerings of the online library include digital magazines and newspapers, graphic novels and comic books, streaming music and video, business and technology classes, and a terrific collection of research databases for a range of interests. The library provides a significant number of resources in Spanish and other languages in print, online and through mobile apps.
1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN | HCPLC.org/1000Books Children who have been read 1,000 books before they begin school already will be well on their way to a love of reading and literacy. While that may seem like a lot of books, you can reach this goal in less than three years by reading one book a day. Visit HCPLC.org to learn more about how to participate, get a welcome packet with a free book and earn digital badges for each milestone.
FALL READING CHALLENGE | HCPLC.org/FallReading We know you love summer reading every year, and this year the public library is bringing you an extra reading challenge for fall! Register for the Fall Reading Challenge and be eligible for prizes, free books and digital badges. Whether you are already reading for school, are a regular reader or are looking to reboot your love of reading, simply log your reading for a chance to win some fantastic prizes. Learn more about logging your reading, special activities, book lists for all ages and live online events at HCPLC.org. You and your family have until Friday, Dec. 11, to complete this year’s bonus reading challenge.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE | HCPLC.org/About/Stories All literacy paths lead to a stronger connection with friends, family and other people in our lives. Taking what has been newly discovered and discussing it or applying it is a great way to keep stoking the fires of interest in everyone’s mind. When you are considering who you and your family would like to share your progress with, make sure to keep the Hillsborough Literacy Council and your public library in mind. Several public library staff work closely with the Hillsborough Literacy Council: hillsboroughliteracy.org. We would love to hear from you and help you however we can.
YOU CAN REDISCOVER READING AT ANY AGE. THESE TITLES ARE PERFECT TO HELP YOU FALL INTO READING AGAIN: ● PreK: “Olaf Loves to Read” by John Edwards (2020) ● Kids: “Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading” by Tom Greenwald (2011) ● T(w)eens: “Suggested Reading” by Dave Connis (2019) ● Adults: “A Histor y of Reading” by Alberto Manguel (1996)
TIPS FOR PARENTS ● Lead by Example: Model the reading and writing behaviors you want kids to adopt. ● Create Shared Experiences: Read, discover and find answers to questions together. ● Use Subtitles and Closed Captioning: When watching shows and movies, turn on subtitles to boost spelling and vocabular y. ● Reading is Reading: Remember, there’s no such thing as wasted reading–support your family’s reading no matter what the interest or format!
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TampaBayParenting.com NOVEMBER 2020
