Hello, In the last year we have all experienced change and growth with our traditional library programs, and Ready to Read Michigan<https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,9264,7-381-88855_89743_89749---,00.html> (RTRM) is also experiencing a shift. The Library of Michigan has transitioned RTRM to a program that focuses on supporting public library staff as they model early literacy skill development directly to families and caregivers with young children (ages birth to 5). RTRM will continue to train and support public library staff as they engage in outreach to families and caregivers, as well as early childhood centers, schools, and daycares in their community. RTRM will no longer create and provide materials around a specific book title. At the end of 2020, RTRM created the Ready to Read Michigan Toolkit: Workshops for Parents and Early Childhood Educators<https://www.michigan.gov/documents/libraryofmichigan/LM_2020_RTRM_Toolkit_711241_7.pdf> and offered a virtual training series with Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen. As RTRM moves forward, additional workshops and webinars will continue to be offered to library staff on best practices in early literacy. We also have many printable resources available on our new website, www.ReadytoReadMi.org<http://www.ReadytoReadMi.org>, an evolving landing place specifically for public library staff in Michigan to access resources, news, and training. Finally, this past Fall, the Library of Michigan purchased for public libraries across Michigan the PLA 2021 Early Literacy Activities Calendar<https://www.alastore.ala.org/PLA2021calendar> and the Every Child Ready to Read Toolkit for Serving Early Childhood Educators<https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/every-child-ready-read-toolkit-serving-early-childhood-educators>. Links to download those materials were sent to directors in October, but if you did not receive the materials please email Cathy Lancaster at LancasterC5@Michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@Michigan.gov?subject=RTRM%20resources%20from%20ALA> from an official work email for the links to download for your library. Upcoming 2021 RTRM Training: Grab-And-Go, Tell-And-Do<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibraryofmichigan.z2systems.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Flibraryofmichigan%2Fevent.jsp%3Fevent%3D352%26&data=04%7C01%7Clancasterc5%40michigan.gov%7Ca591b33f230145d8c98308d8b3e1f97e%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637457130436627201%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=DmU5%2F7mXYTLUjD9F97%2FR1sTQxAPnrbAzHjS6uB69ygU%3D&reserved=0> February 23, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET During the pandemic, Youth Librarians have had to provide alternative programming to serve their young patrons and families. Virtual Storytime and curbside pick-ups have become the norm. But, what if some of these pandemic practices can remain and promote language and literacy at home? Join Storyteller and Narrative Coach, Jenifer Strauss to learn how to put together five new literacy-based language experience kits for families to GRAB at the library, take home and DO together. Instructions and material lists will be provided. Helping Children Build a Bigger Vocabulary<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibraryofmichigan.z2systems.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Flibraryofmichigan%2Fevent.jsp%3Fevent%3D353%26&data=04%7C01%7Clancasterc5%40michigan.gov%7Ca591b33f230145d8c98308d8b3e1f97e%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637457130436627201%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=cp50CIN4cB6gJT5ozmo3veh2VVbNUkN5B%2FVcbeEoWx8%3D&reserved=0> March 23, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET Intentional and diverse language experiences are the key to helping children build a bigger vocabulary and establish reading readiness. Storytelling and Narrative Coach, Jenifer Strauss will use the five practices of early literacy featured in Ready to Read Michigan to present activities designed to intentionally provide young patrons with a plethora of interactive vocabulary building opportunities. Handouts provided. The Power of Pre-writing and Writing Activities with Kids<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibraryofmichigan.z2systems.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Flibraryofmichigan%2Fevent.jsp%3Fevent%3D354%26&data=04%7C01%7Clancasterc5%40michigan.gov%7Ca591b33f230145d8c98308d8b3e1f97e%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637457130436637162%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=vLoTrh%2BdXWuSIBKi1LHg5YaMQljkSGFuhFRyAH%2FUG4c%3D&reserved=0> April 20, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET We know that there is a strong literacy connection between speaking, reading and writing. Every storytime should include pre-writing or writing activities to support language and literacy skills in our young patrons but, it is often the hardest element to include. Storytelling and Literacy Coach, Jenifer Strauss will share a process for providing engaging writing activities in your storytime plans to enrich your programs and provide parents with ways to extend the language experience when they get home. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at LancasterC5@Michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@Michigan.gov?subject=Ready%20to%20Read%20Michigan>. Thank you, Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> This program is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The RTRM Toolkit & ALA resources described was also supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0002, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.