Cortland Free Library

Funded by the Rural Health Institute, thanks to an original grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation, the new section offers books, activity kits, and parental aids that foster early literacy.   

Atop the already impressive array of books, children’s programming, and other learning resources offered in its Youth Services department, the Cortland Free Library (CFL) launched a new Decodable Books Learning Hub at a kick-off event on Saturday, June 21. The new hub offers a wide, carefully curated array of books, activity kits, and parental resources to support emergent and struggling readers of all ages.

“Decodable books are like training wheels for learning to read. They provide children with the opportunity to practice using the phonics skills they’ve learned,” said Tammy Sickmon, Youth Services Director at the CFL.  “With thanks to all who collaborated to make today possible, this new hub promises to be a valuable, resource for Cortland’s early readers, homeschoolers, and youth facing barriers to reading such as dyslexia.”

The hub was funded through the Rural Health Institute (RHI), whose mission includes supporting early childhood literacy in Cortland County and who obtained a grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust (Manlius, NY).

“Our former literacy coordinator was inspired by other hubs in communities in Skaneateles and elsewhere and wrote a grant request to the John Ben Snow foundation to bring this resource to the Cortland community,” said Sara Watrous, Project Director from RHI. “Going forward, our hope is to bring this pilot program to other locations in Cortland County.”

Saturday’s kickoff included an explanation of how decodable books work and a walk-through of the hub’s resources. Sickmon also made a point of acknowledging others from across the state who helped create the hub. Among them and also a presenter at the kickoff was Beth Bevars, who is Program Director for Teach My Kid to Read and the Literacy Hub Director of the Lodi Whittier Library (Lodi, NY).

“Teach My Kid to Read is a national non-profit working to bring hubs like this one to libraries across the country,” said Bevars. As the parent of a child who acquired literacy skills later than usual due to dyslexia, Bevars has personal experience with, and is passionate, about the introduction of decodable reading hubs that were not available for her child. “In Lodi, here in Cortland, and elsewhere, I want to help make available the resources that would have supported my family had they existed.” Notably, and proudly, Bevars indicated her daughter recently graduated from college after, and despite, a late start with literacy.

Attended by approximately two dozen parents, children, CFL trustees, and other stakeholders, the event also included activities, an outdoor decodable story walk, and reading-themed refreshments.

Presenters also promoted a new, online community called “Literacy @ Your Library” that is free to all CFL patrons (instructions for accessing the community are provided on a bookmark available at the hub)  — and spotlighted an upcoming talk centered around the new hub: Entitled “Early Literacy Strategies for Parents and Caregivers,” Dr. Kirra Guard will “explore ways to use the new hub to support your child’s literacy development at home.” (June 26, 6 p.m. for ages 18 and older, registration required).