FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2019 CONTACT Farrell Howe | Marketing & Communications Manager Kalamazoo Public Library | CEN 315 S. Rose St. | Kalamazoo, MI, 49007 (269) 553-7879 Register For the 42nd Annual KPL Youth Literature Seminar Featuring Authors Jewell Parker-Rhodes, Kelly Baptist, Grace Lin and Certified Reading Specialist Ed Spicer Kalamazoo, MI, Tuesday, September 24, 2019. Kalamazoo Public Library is proud to welcome award-winning authors Jewell Parker-Rhodes<http://jewellparkerrhodes.com/children/>, Kelly Baptist<http://kellyiswrite.com/> and Grace Lin<https://www.gracelin.com/>, as well as certified Reading Specialist Ed Spicer<http://spicyreads.org/> on Friday, November 8, 9 am – 3 pm at the WMU Fetzer Center<https://www.kpl.gov/venue/wmu-fetzer-center/>. The speakers will lead an important discussion on the community’s role in prioritizing childhood literacy. Registration is required. For more information about the speakers, schedule, costs, and to register, please visit kpl.gov/yls<http://www.kpl.gov/yls>. The KPL Youth Literature Seminar is designed for Pre-K and K–12 educators, daycare professionals, child and youth development administrators, students focusing on early-childhood education and/or literacy, parents and caregivers, and anyone with an interest in supporting and promoting childhood literacy. Scholarships are available for both adults and high school students interested in attending. For more information, please contact JillL@kpl.gov<mailto:JillL@kpl.gov>. About the Seminar Everyone knows that reading is important. Studies have shown that children who do not develop an early love for reading and cannot read at their grade level or above are far less likely to become successful adults. That is why libraries and schools across the country continue to dedicate so much time and resources to early-childhood literacy initiatives. In fact, beginning in the 2019–20 school year, Michigan third-graders who are not reading at grade level will be retained as part of the Read by Grade Three law signed by former Governor Rick Snyder in 2017. Since the passing of this law, Michigan teachers have been prioritizing literacy-focused instruction and coaching to prepare students to meet this requirement. While their efforts are commendable, it is not solely the responsibility of teachers to ensure our children are proficient in reading. The entire community must prioritize early childhood literacy and support children at every stage as they grow their reading skills. If we want our community story to reflect not just proficiency, but a true passion for reading, then we as a community must lead. But how? This year’s KPL Youth Literature Seminar is dedicated to providing community members with the tools and resources they need to write their own story—the story of a community that reads. For more information, visit kpl.gov/yls<http://www.kpl.gov/yls>. ####