Reading Machine: Library Brings Literacy & STEAM to Preschools

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

The Reading Machine is LA County Library’s early literacy mobile program. Five vehicles travel across Los Angeles County to reach outside library walls, introducing children to the joy of reading. The Reading Machine provides high-energy Storytime and STEAM programs to home daycares and preschools while modeling early literacy skills for caregivers to support their efforts to care for young children, ages 0 – 5 years. Storytime and STEAM kits are made available to teachers and providers at the daycares and preschools for future use. The Reading Machine also participates in community outreach events to deliver Storytime programming and a pop-up play area for parents and children to play and interact with Library staff. With literacy rates low in LA County—66% of children are not reading at grade level—the Reading Machine focuses on 9 LA communities with urgent needs that were identified as high-risk for illiteracy, poverty, and mental health assistance. Since its first implementation in May 2018 and as of January 2020, a total of 1,609 site visits and 18 family outreach events have been conducted by the Reading Machines with a total attendance of over 35,000 children and adults.