Early Learning
Museums and libraries have special roles in meeting the needs of the youngest learners and their caregivers.
Partnership: Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
In recognition of the role that museums and libraries play in early learning, the Institute of Museum and Library Services is supporting projects that further the goals the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, including school readiness, summer reading loss, and chronic school absence.
Partnership: Head Start, Child Care, and Public Libraries
This partnership between IMLS and the HHS Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Head Start and Office of Child Care encourages collaboration between early childhood programs and public libraries to help meet the educational needs of young children and their families.
National Initiative: Let's Move! Museums & Gardens
This new national initiative will provide opportunities for millions of museum and garden visitors to learn about healthy food choices and promote physical activity through interactive exhibits and programs.
Search the Awarded Grants database for grants to programs that strengthen early learning (issue areas have only been assigned to grants awarded since FY 2009)
Early learning content on the IMLS website:
December 7, 2012 03:44 PM
IMLS and the Campaign held a meeting to begin developing a groundbreaking policy report on the role of museums and libraries in early learning. The publication is planned for April 2013.
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November 7, 2012 07:15 AM
The board will explore the roles of libraries and museum in early learning.
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October 16, 2012 09:17 AM
IMLS announces new guidelines and a new deadline for the nation’s largest museum grant programs.
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March 27, 2013 09:51 AM
A bilingual summer program at the Long Island Children’s Museum helps children of immigrant families prepare for kindergarten.
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February 20, 2013 02:42 PM
Libraries and museums are taking leadership roles in their communities and tackling tough problems.
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October 17, 2012 08:40 AM
Director Hildreth identifies five strategies for museums and libraries that are making a difference in their communities.
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The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is bringing the museum experience into public housing developments with a model program that includes early childhood literacy elements, health exhibits, and educational programming.
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Adding e-readers to a traditional library preschool storytime gets parents more engaged and adds a new dimension of interaction for the children. In addition to developing language skills and instilling a love of books, the program helps bridge the digital divide, putting families on the path to digital literacy in a community with limited access to technology.
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The Family Place model is helping several California public libraries rethink their children’s programming. They’re taking services for their youngest readers beyond storytime by providing interactive children’s spaces that foster child and family development.
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"Growing Young Minds: How Museums and Libraries Create Lifelong Learners" calls upon policy makers and practitioners to fully use the capacity of libraries and museums to close knowledge and opportunity gaps and give all children a strong start in learning.
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Quick summary of the impact of library services for early learning.
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