As part of the 2013-14 Statewide Initiative for Early Learning with Families (ELF) @ Your Library 2.0, a targeted and competitive funding opportunity of up to $10,000 per library jurisdiction will allow for the improvements of twelve library locations’ children’s areas. Public libraries are important community centers with the ability to reach families, caregivers, and childcare provides from all walks of life. Early Learning with Families 2.0 (ELF 2.0) initiative is intended to further the evolution of library services to young children, their families and caregivers. When experiences and library surroundings delight in inquiry, encourage discovery, invite play, and nurture parent/child bonds, they naturally lead to children’s development and learning. The initiative places public libraries as the place where learning begins as a way of life that lasts a lifetime.

The Library will not participate in the State Library’s Early Learning with Families (ELF) @ Your Library 2.0.

The Early Learning with Families (ELF) @ Your Library 2.0 supports two community outcomes: #1) Children ready for and succeeding in school; and #4) Families that are safe, stable and nurturing, as established in the Children’s Report Card. Through the creation of Early Learning Play Centers young children will experience new surroundings that delight in inquiry, encourage discovery, invite play, and nurture parent/child bonds, which naturally leads to children’s development and learning. Public libraries are important community centers with the ability to reach families, caregivers, and childcare providers, and Early Learning Play Centers will encourage the development of early literacy skills which are fundamental for children’s success in preschool along with reinforcing the nurturing parent-child bond through the shared experience of learning through play.