By Sarah Sever, Assistant Director, Neuse Regional Libraries

Poverty negatively influences the academic achievement of young children. Research shows that youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to repeat grades and drop out of high school. Because children experiencing homelessness face a greater risk of performing poorly in school and not graduating, it is important to provide them with increased early literacy opportunities. This is why Neuse Regional Libraries have partnered with the Friends of the Homeless to create an Early Literacy Center at the shelter in Kinston. Families staying in shelters often lack transportation as well as housing, making it a necessity to have early literacy materials on site. Early learning has a profound impact on brain development and research suggests children who develop strong early literacy skills are more likely to succeed academically, exhibit higher levels of self-confidence, and actively engage in learning experiences. 

Staff members from the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library currently visit the Friends of the Homeless shelter each week to provide the adults with digital literacy training and social services referrals. Establishing an Early Literacy space for families at the shelter is an opportunity to expand an already successful partnership in order to help even more members of a marginalized community. The space will include devices designed for children ages 2-8 that contain preloaded educational games in the areas of STEAM, Early Literacy, Science, Critical Thinking, and more. There will also be fun and comfortable chairs for children to relax in as they read a book from a collection of titles for grade levels Pre-K through 3. The Early Literacy space will also include manipulatives and a pretend play area. Manipulatives help children develop fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination and hand dexterity, while pretend play promotes imagination and creativity, as well as language development and social skills. The Early Literacy space will provide a supportive environment for families experiencing challenges and help provide resources for continued literacy growth in their children.

The Early Literacy Center was made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-253645-OLS-23). A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the Friends of the Homeless Shelter on Wednesday, October 2 at 12 pm. For more information please call (252) 527-7066 ext. 122.