Library director Calla Jarvie and the Rock County Library are among 22 rural library fellows selected nationwide to improve third-grade reading outcomes in rural communities.
“The Rural Library Initiative will provide an invaluable opportunity to cultivate libraries as change-makers and libraries as key partners in their communities,” said Regina Washington, director of Rural Impact Networks at Partners for Education.
Jarvie will participate in peer consultation, leadership development and coaching, and she will receive funding to implement the strategies they develop.
She’ll attend training though twice monthly webinars and one-on-one consultations.
“Libraries in rural areas are uniquely positioned to serve as community anchors for young learners,” said Lesley Graham with Save the Children, who is sponsoring the fellowship.
“We’re confident the Rural Library Fellows will have the tools, skills and resources they need to build lifelong learners and set children up for success.”
The fellowship will operate for two years, through June 2023.
The first year focuses on capacity building and training. The second year focuses on implementing plans created by librarians in each community.
There are 22 librarians in 19 states who will participate in the fellowship program.
Jarvie said she is excited about working with local third-grade teachers in developing an action plan to help students improve their reading.
“I don’t know in what capacity yet,” she said. “But that is part of the plan.”
Research indicates children who have not mastered the mechanics of reading by the end of third grade face significant barriers to higher education access and success.
Research also shows students who lack reading mastery are four more times likely to drop out of high school compared with their peers who read proficiently when they finished third grade.