Science of Reading: Path to Book Joy
Cleveland Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
A child’s path to becoming a confident reader begins with more than learning to decode words; it begins with adults who know how to make reading both evidence-based and joyful. On October 15, 2025, Cleveland Public Library brought that idea to life through The Science of Reading: The Path to Book Joy, a professional learning conference that brought together 220 library staff, educators, early childhood providers and literacy leaders. Through a keynote, interactive breakout sessions and hands-on training, participants explored how research can become practical, joyful strategies that strengthen literacy and help every child become a confident reader.
Challenge/Opportunity
Too many children face barriers to becoming confident, successful readers, while the adults who support them need practical, evidence-based tools to help. The conference addressed the gap between literacy research and everyday practice by helping library staff and community partners understand how children learn to read and how to translate that knowledge into meaningful experiences. Sessions explored literacy from multiple perspectives: building strong readers through storytime, supporting families with decoding, vocabulary and conversation, creating language-rich environments through read-alouds and play, extending literacy instruction to adolescents, and helping community organizations create literacy-rich spaces. CPL saw an opportunity to make the Library a stronger, more consistent partner in literacy development from birth through adolescence.
Key Elements of Innovation
CPL designed a full day of professional learning to strengthen the network of people who help children become readers. The conference brought together library staff, educators, early childhood providers and leaders to learn together, exchange strategies and build stronger connections across Cleveland’s literacy ecosystem. Sessions explored family engagement, early literacy, storytime, research-based read-alouds and play, adolescent literacy and community literacy support. Key partners included PRE4CLE, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cleveland State University and Lakeshore Learning. Following the conference, CPL staff participated in a hands-on training and received multisensory Science of Reading kits to apply in storytimes, family engagement and programming. By connecting people, research and practical tools, the initiative helps create a more cohesive literacy network so children encounter consistent, high-quality support wherever they learn.
Achieved Outcomes
Success is being measured through attendance, staff engagement, use of the kits, adoption of research-based practices and feedback from staff and families. The conference brought together 220 attendees, equipping Library staff and literacy partners with a shared foundation in the Science of Reading and practical strategies they could immediately apply. Three breakout sessions addressed literacy across ages, from early childhood and family learning to adolescent readers, while Lakeshore Learning provided multisensory Science of Reading kits and hands-on training for Library staff. The event strengthened partnerships among public libraries, schools, early childhood organizations and higher education, including PRE4CLE, Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Cleveland State University. The conference returns in 2026, expanding to include a celebration of CPL’s Norman A. Sugarman Awards, honoring excellence in children’s biographies.
