Saint Paul Library Boosts Pre-K Literacy Efforts

By SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 8/22/2008

Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) in Minnesota has gained the mayor’s attention in his efforts to address preschool literacy. In Mayor Christopher Coleman’s recent official 2009 budget address, he acknowledged SPPL and its effectiveness as a partner in that effort.

“It is widely recognized that one of the things that library professionals do better than almost anyone else is to prepare young children to read and support their parents as their first and most important teachers,” says Coleman. “So we are adding morning hours to six neighborhood branches so our library staff has the time and space to do what they do so well—provide story times and other programming specifically designed to complement our Blast Off to K initiative.”

Total library hours among 12 branches plus the central library will increase to 775 a week, the most in more than 30 years, says SPPL spokesperson Sheree Savage. The general operational budget will grow by 5.4 percent, or $762,541, the largest jump since 2004, for a total budget of $19.6 million.

Additionally, SPPL’s staff service will increase by four full-time equivalent positions, to make possible the expanded morning hours.