LA PLays! increases awareness of the library as a community resource and promotes the use of the ECRR2 early literacy practices among families with young children in low-income, ethnically diverse areas. The Library created outreach sessions, parent workshops, and a launch party with demonstrations of the kits, to engage parents and community-based early learning organizations in areas of low income, high unemployment and high teen birth rates. This resulted in successful collaboration with neighborhood councils, a medical clinic, a child care center, and an elementary school, which extended the program’s reach into the target communities.

Each themed play kit contains a book, a related toy, and suggested activities for parents and children to do together. The kits are designed to encourage creative, imaginative play and verbal interaction, such as guessing games. There is also a journal where parents can share ideas and experiences. Initially, 76 kits were created, and 15 more kits were quickly added due to high demand. Kits were created with very young children in mind, but participants discovered that they could be enjoyed by the entire family. Surveys indicate that 100 percent of participants would check out another play kit.

Anticipated Outcomes and Achievements:

1. Participants will increase their awareness of the five ECRR2 practices: Seventy six percent of participants reported their children learned new words and 60 percent reported that children and parent/caregivers used kits together.
2. Attract new library users: In just five months, kits were checked out more than 650 times, and 25 percent were borrowed by new cardholders.
3. Parents will learn fun tips and ideas to encourage their child’s language development: 64 percent of respondents reported using suggested activities at home.

This program, piloted at one library, is so successful it has expanded to three more libraries.