Upgrade Your Literacy Resources with a How to Read Website

The science of reading is one of the fastest growing topics in librarianship. At my library, patrons want to know more about the science of reading, and how they can use it to help their children learn to read. Over the years, we’ve tried to meet this in different ways. For example, we created a Science of Reading kit to help patrons access the tools they need. As patron demand continued to grow, we realized we needed a way to help many patrons at the same time. To that end, my library created a Help Your Child Learn to Read website so patrons could access library resources whenever they needed them.

Creating the Website

My library decided to build the website in Google Sites. Google Sites works well because it creates a website that we linked to on my library’s main website. It created a separate, easy to navigate structure for patrons that they could access at any time.

Our website has six main sections. We created the sections based on the different types of information and resources our patrons might want. This makes it easy for patrons who know what materials they want to find a specific resource, such as a decodable kit. We also created a section for patrons who do not know what they want. This way, even when the library is closed or a patron cannot physically come in, they can still get a recommendation based around their circumstances.

When creating the website, make sure to follow accessibility guidelines. For example, use WebAIM’s Color Contrast checker to make sure your font is legible. Also, make sure that you add Alt Text to any image included on the website so patrons with screen readers can access your content.

Decodables, Kits, and Games

The first section of the website is dedicated to decodables. If you’re not familiar, decodables are specially crafted books that have specific sounds so new readers can sound out all of the words. Decodables often follow a “scope and sequence”, where the next book in the series builds on the skills learned in the last book. Due to patron demand, we started a separated decodables section with decodables bundled together in kits. This makes it easier for patrons to follow the scope and sequence of each series. If your library doesn’t have a decodables collection, you may want to feature beginning reader books that can be decoded. The Geisel Award can help you find some great books that follow the Science of Reading!

We also listed other kits that can help patrons develop their reading skills. Further, we created a separate page of games that patrons might like. On this page, we included a mix of games available for checkout in the library and free games from around the web. This way, patrons who are looking for a fun literacy activity can always get an activity, even if the physical library is closed. If you’re looking for online games to feature, try directing patrons to PBS Kids’ Reading Games. These free games are easy to play and designed by the experts and educators who create PBS Kids TV shows.

Quick Tips, Educator’s Guides, and Find the Best Tool

Along with tools for kids, my library also wanted our website to help caregivers and educators feel empowered when teaching kids to read. So, we developed some quick tips and a list of educator resources that adults might find helpful. For the educator’s guides, we chose a mix of books aimed at classroom teachers and caregivers. Like with the games, we also chose some online tools patrons could access at any time.

The Science of Reading is one of the educator’s guides featured on the website. Photo Credit: Penguin Random House

As we developed the website, we also wanted to create a way patrons could quickly find resources based on their specific circumstances. After all, a parent looking for basic information to decide if their child is ready to learn to read has very different needs than a reading specialist looking for materials to help catch up an ESL learner. To make it simpler for patrons, we created a tool that gave them specific recommendations based on their needs.

In Google Sites, you can add buttons that lead to other pages on your website. You also can hide pages from the navigation bar. By combining these features, we created buttons that functioned like an online quiz. Patrons answer simple questions about their needs and background, which leads them to the resource that fits their needs. It gives a great starting place for patrons who might feel overwhelmed searching the entire website. It also helps give somewhat individualized recommendations to patrons who cannot physically come into the building to have a one-on-one conversation with a librarian.

Other Ways to Add the Science of Reading

Of course, a Help Your Child Learn to Read website is only one way to help bring the Science of Reading into your library. You can also incorporate Science of Reading into your read alouds, and highlight for patrons where libraries fit in with the Science of Reading. There are also a ton of resources available from PLA and ALSC through Every Child Read to Read that you will find helpful.

What resources does your library have to help patrons learn to read?

Ann Baillie (she/her/hers) is the Youth Services Assistant Manager at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library in Alsip, Illinois. She serves on the Illinois Youth Services Institute Planning Committee. Her main interests are the connection between Readers’ Advisory and technology, and how libraries can use technology to better reach patrons.

This post addresses ALSC Core Competencies I: Commitment to Client Group and II. Reference and User Services.

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