Since 90 percent of brain growth occurs by age five, it is crucial that library’s become involved in promoting the importance of reading and learning in young children. BCL WoW Kids was created to provide parents and children in our community with the resources and opportunities to explore early literacy in a fun, user-friendly way. The three-part initiative incorporated free, live events, as well as Early Literacy Stations and a web page with resources and information to help parents guide young learners and readers.

By using online communication via the web page, community outreach and self-guided learning opportunities (i.e. Early Literacy Stations), BCL WoW Kids provides a number of different approaches to early learning. At free "Hot Food Hot Topics/Fresh Food Fresh Ideas" events, parents and caregivers learned about effective reading strategies, creating healthy meals on a budget and accessible community resources to help them become their child's first teacher. Early Literacy Stations, located in 11 libraries, feature touch-screen computers and are designed for early learners. A “First Five Years” web page provides resources, activities and educational games that help parents guide young learners.

One measurable outcome was the attendance of 777 people at 15 different "Hot Food Hot Topics/Fresh Food Fresh Ideas" events held at library locations countywide. Additionally, the number of visits to the “First Five Years” web page increased almost 61 percent since it was launched in Spring 2015. Use of the Early Literacy Stations is not tracked, but Youth Service librarians at the 11 locations report that they are used daily, and a number of those library locations offered events and classes during this year’s Summer Learning Program to introduce children to the stations.