Ida Rupp Library officials have announced a new book collection in its children’s department that was purchased with funding provided by the Libraries Accelerating Learning Grant through the Ohio Department of Education. Ida Rupp Library was one of 32 libraries chosen across Ohio to receive the grant, intended to provide services and materials to promote and accelerate literacy.
Part of the accomplishment of that goal was through the acquisition of VOX Books and Wonderbooks, both audio-enabled books for children.
From the VOX Books on libraryideas.com: “VOX Books combine outstanding picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction titles with audio recordings that capture children’s attention and make learning and literacy development fun.
The permanently attached VOX Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along. No need for computers, tablets or CDs – children simply push a button to listen and read.”
From the Wonderbook at playaway.com: “Every Wonderbook is a print book with a ready-to-play audiobook inside. Kids will press play to read along with their favorite books and then switch to learning mode for literacy learning and fun.”
“They are excellent resources for numerous reasons,” said Megan Osborn, Youth Associate. “Children can have a read aloud experience on their own, regardless of reading level, and are beneficial for auditory learners. This is a new and fun way to inspire a love of reading.”
“We worked very hard to curate a well-rounded list with a variety of reading levels, book types, and topics,” said Youth Associate Corvid Griggs. One highlight is a selection of musical books with songs that sing to you.
The Ida Rupp Library purchased 81 Wonderbooks and 94 VOX Books. When checking out one of these books, be on the lookout for a survey at the front. This helps the library report to the Department of Education on the impacts of the audio enabled books.
The grant has included AWE computers in the children’s section to provide literacy-focused activities perfect for kids aged 2-8. The upgrade includes over 70 educational applications covering seven different curricular areas. Everything is preloaded onto the computer, so there’s no need to connect to the internet. Two stations were purchased for the main Ida Rupp branch and one for the Erie Islands Branch on Put-In-Bay.
A final program for the grant goal is the Ottawa County Reads! event with creator James Dean. The event was promoted throughout Ottawa County for all residents. James Dean is the creator, illustrator, and one of the authors of Pete the Cat, a popular book series for children.
