High quality early childhood education and school readiness have consistently been priorities for the Nashville community and remain among the top priorities for the state and nation. The first five years of life are a time of enormous social-emotional, physical and cognitive growth. The High/Scope Perry Study followed a group of 20 low-income children and found that children who start out at an academic disadvantage tend to remain disadvantaged when they do not have positive pre-K experiences. Further, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the level of school readiness skills is vastly improved by providing literacy activities such as: reading aloud, teaching letters/words/numbers, teaching songs or music, doing arts and crafts; and visiting a library. BBTL makes early literacy development tools more accessible by partnering directly with day care centers and preschools in the Nashville community to share ideas on incorporating literature and library resources into all classroom disciplines, as well as engaging families in the process. Many of these agencies lack the resources to provide quality professional development, parent engagement, and classroom materials. BBTL is able to provide all of these to agencies at no charge.

When BBTL first partners with an agency, there are three program phases they must complete. First, staff conducts two interactive trainings for teachers on: reading strategies and classroom practices that reinforce preschool literacy skills and reach all types of learners and use of the library as a resource for teachers and families. Second, staff visits the classroom and models storytelling strategies during a story time for preschoolers, followed by a performance from the library’s Puppet Truck where a book is truly brought to life. Finally, all program participants enjoy a Family Literacy Celebration at a neighborhood library complete with singing, storytelling and refreshments. All children in attendance receive a free picture book. Families have the opportunity to meet the library’s staff and learn about upcoming programs. To encourage families to use the library consistently, children are rewarded with another free book after four visits. These three phases are only the beginning of an agency’s partnership with BBTL. In 2007, BBTL began offering workshops for parents, focusing on promoting positive interactions between parent and child with books, while building early literacy skills. In 2013, BBTL began to offer services to adult literacy providers, understanding that to truly make an impact, the literacy needs of both children and adults must be met. Agencies may contact BBTL at any time to arrange for any of these services, or to schedule additional trainings for staff. Whenever a new puppet show goes on the Puppet Truck, all agencies are given the option for further services including curriculum materials, story times and puppet shows. BBTL strives to be an ongoing resource for all who surround Nashville’s youngest residents.

BBTL continues to be a vital part of NPL’s community outreach initiatives. Its resources have been invaluable to the Nashville early education community. It has seen increases in attendance, partners, and performances since its inception. To date, BBTL has trained teachers and impacted children at 191 different childcare agencies and Pre-K programs across Nashville. In 2013, BBTL hosted 13,525 people at 534 programs throughout Nashville, an increase from 445 programs in 2012. Additionally, BBTL hosted 50 parent workshops with 641 parents in attendance, and the Puppet Truck performed 199 shows for BBTL partner sites. Nearly 90% of agencies request repeat services from BBTL, and 98% of teachers continue to implement the BBTL’s materials into their classroom curriculum. The impact of BBTL’s parent workshops is similarly significant. Immediately following the workshops, 100% of parents report learning more about literacy development and 99% report that they are more inclined to use the library immediately following a workshop. In follow-up surveys, 95% of parents reported increasing literacy-based activities with their child; 67% report increasing their library use. In 2009, The American Library Association (ALA) named BBTL winner of the Marshall Cavendish Excellence in Library Programming Award. In 2010, BBTL was cited by the Institute for Museum and Library as a contributing factor in NPL’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Further, the manager of BBTL, Liz Atack, was the first librarian to be named Toyota Family Teacher of the Year by the National Center for Families Learning in 2014.