St. Louis County Library Launches New Literacy Initiative–Gateway to Reading
St. Louis County Library is launching a new initiative in 2025 called Gateway to Reading, aimed at improving literacy in the St. Louis region. Using a research based approach, the Gateway to Reading program will provide a series of literacy workshops for caregivers and children, along with kits that can be checked out to work on reading skills at home. The Gateway to Reading workshops began in January, and will continue throughout the year. The kits will begin circulating in February. More information is available at www.slcl.org/gateway-to-reading.
St. Louis County Library Director & CEO Kristen Sorth said, “The ability to read transforms individuals and communities. At SLCL, we believe that public libraries are a vital part of a community's education network. SLCL's new Gateway to Reading program provides practical tools to assist parents and caregivers with a child's reading journey. We hope that this program will have a significant impact on literacy in the region.”
Recent studies and test scores show that young students in St. Louis are struggling with reading, highlighting the need for an effective community approach to literacy. The Gateway to Reading project is designed to help all children become confident, competent readers.
Schools throughout the country are adopting new curriculums based on the science of reading, the study of how people learn to read. Central to the science of reading is the importance of explicit phonics instruction for developing foundational reading skills. Phonics is a method of teaching children to read and write that connects the sounds in spoken language with letters in written language. Through decodable books, children apply the phonics strategies they have learned to build their ability to read.
Gateway to Reading has two main parts: caregiver/child workshops and circulating kits. Gateway to Reading workshops will be offered at each of SLCL’s 20 branches. At these workshops, caregivers and children will learn about a phonics-based approach to reading and engage in fun activities together. Workshop attendees will take home a toolkit of materials to continue the learning at home–including a game, magnetic letters and a white board, and a phonics playbook. The workshops are geared towards ages 5-8 and their caregivers. The workshops are free, but registration is required by visiting www.slcl.org/events.
Gateway to Reading Workshops:
Tuesday, March 18, 6:00 p.m. Bridgeton Trails
Saturday, March 22, 2:00 p.m. Mid-County
Thursday, April 17, 6:00 p.m. Samuel C. Sachs
Wednesday, April 30, 6:00 p.m. Florissant Valley
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. Daniel Boone
Saturday, May 17, 2:00 p.m. Cliff Cave
Wednesday, June 18, 6:00 p.m. Natural Bridge
Tuesday, June 24, 2:00 p.m. Meramec Valley
The Gateway to Reading kits will be available at all 20 branches in February. The kits contain a series of decodable books bundled with hands-on resources that guide children and families in building decoding skills. Each kit features a guide with tips, skill progression, and strategies to support decoding. Kits will be available for elementary students (K-3) and striving readers in grades 4+.
Funding for Gateway to Reading is provided by PNC Foundation.
St. Louis County Library offers a variety of resources for families to encourage reading and a love of learning starting at birth with the Born to Read program, which provides new parents with a free book and library resources. Parents can access additional support through programs such as 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Lap Time and Story Time and Kindergarten Prep. More information about early literacy resources at SLCL can be found at www.slcl.org/early-literacy.
Media inquiries about Gateway to Reading should be directed to Jennifer McBride, SLCL Assistant Director, Communications at 314-994-3300 ext 2250 or jmcbride@slcl.org.
Program sites are accessible. With at least two weeks' notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Call 314-994-3300 or contact us.