Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association�s (ALA) Washington Office, today filed testimony for the official record of the House Committee on Education and Labor�s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education�s hearing, �Improving Literacy Skills of Children and Young Adults.�

The comments highlighted the contributions of librarians and library programs in both public and school libraries in improving the literacy skills of children and young adults.
�Public librarians have embraced their responsibility to be the first literacy coach for parents and caregivers of all children, especially children in low-income families,� Sheketoff states in her comments. �Some services provided to these families include bookmobile and storytelling mobiles, story-time kits and early literacy classes for child-care providers, Head Start staff and parents.�

Sheketoff�s testimony underscored the impact of school libraries in both traditional and technology literacy through the role of school librarians who are the central teachers who know the school�s curriculum and effective techniques necessary to cross disciplines.

The ALA supports both the House and Senate versions of the Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN) Act, which contain various provisions to support libraries in the development and implementation of early learning through grade 12 literacy programs.

Here in Orlando, Florida I am happy to say that alot of organizations are getting involved in literacy especially the public libraries.