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McConnell Grant Provides Kids’ Digital Tablets at Library

LeapPad

SHASTA COUNTY – The Redding Library has launched its “Digital Starting Place.” Early literacy stations and LeapPad digital tablets are now available to the public.

This technology helps young children improve their proficiency in reading and learning and promotes the early development of computer literacy that is so necessary to attaining 21st century life goals.

Located in the children’s area, the equipment includes two early literacy stations for children ages 2-8 years with more than 60 educational software titles spanning seven curricular areas. They are designed to optimize learning for children through the use of eBooks and literacy software such as Jumpstart Phonics.

The keyboard and mouse are designed to fit a child’s hand and are color coded to assist learning. There are also 12 LeapPad digital tablets with 24 eBook titles that will be used in family-based programs for pre-kindergarten children and their parents.

According to Courtney McOmber, the mother of 2 and 3 1/2 year old sons, the station is pretty intuitive and easy for young

children to use.

“I like that the little ones can do the touch screen themselves without the use of a mouse. There are a million games on them and activities for older kids as well.”

There is also a digital literacy station designed for students ages 6-12 years that provides an easy transition to more advanced literacy software and eBook titles. Diane Gustafson, Youth Services Librarian noted that “all the stations foster independent, self-paced learning in several subject areas, and use engaging graphics and sound. They nurture discovery and growth, giving youth a competitive edge both inside and beyond the classroom.”

She added, “Research highlights the importance of early digital literacy and integrating technology into learning. Children don’t even realize that they are learning: they are enthusiastic about technology and studies show that being digital savvy makes a difference in educational outcomes.”

The Digital Starting Place was made available thanks to a $13,250 grant from The McConnell Fund at the Shasta Regional Community Foundation to the Shasta Library Foundation which secures grant resources for the Shasta Public Libraries for unfunded library priorities.

The public library provides several free, quality educational programs that attract many children who do not attend preschool facilities or participate in alternative early literacy activities. Digital story time is effective in introducing parents as well as children to e-reader technology and is especially valuable for families who don’t have technology at home.

The Shasta Public Libraries in Redding, Burney and Anderson provide free resources to people of all ages and circumstances in Shasta County. There has been a dramatic increase in library usage since the Redding Library opened in 2007. Currently almost 67% of the county’s population has a library card. There were over 2 million visits to the Redding Library in 2013 and more than 601,000 items circulated county-wide last year.

With Shasta County per capita library funding in the bottom third state-wide, and with about half the book collection for a community our size, the goal of the Shasta Library Foundation is to make sure the public library remains vibrant and relevant through an Endowment Fund that will provide a permanent source of supplemental revenue for the Shasta Public Libraries.

From press release.

Press Release

-from press release

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