University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh will perform research to identify how school libraries currently serve the learning needs of PreK children, elucidate elements of school library services to PreK learners prioritized and valued by educational stakeholders, parents, and young children, pinpoint school library program strategies that support children holistically and in specific domain areas, and uncover challenges in providing library services to PreK learners. Completion of these tasks will lead to materials to support school library services for PreK children and recommendations for practice. The research will begin with two linked exploratory studies: a nationwide survey followed by interviews with select survey respondents. These studies aim to identify how school library programs are currently serving the learning needs of PreK learners as well as challenges in doing so. The researchers will next engage in a multi-site case study designed to elucidate the elements of school library services to PreK learners that educational stakeholders, parents, and young children most prioritize and/or value.