Literacy Program Expands into Melville Primary Schools

The City of Melville’s five libraries have been part of the Better Beginnings’ Family Literacy Program since 2006, which today attracts more than 500 small children and their mothers into the libraries for free weekly stories, rhymes and activities.

City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said until now, the Program – developed by the State Library of WA – catered for children aged 0 to three-years-old.

“The expansion will see City of Melville libraries supply 18 local primary schools with reading packs for over 1,800 four to five-year-old students,” he said.

“The City will help supply bright green reading packs, containing a picture book, a book bag and reader folder as well as a Discovery Book for children to record their reading journey.

“Parents will also be given helpful information on reading aloud, sharing books with their children, choosing books, and accessing books and information safely online together.

“We hope this reading program will give parents added opportunity to get involved in reading with their children and help them to develop a love of reading and invaluable literacy skills.”

Schools have also been provided with a teachers’ guide, including lesson plans and extension activities, designed to encourage an enjoyment of reading at home.

Over the next few months, a range of additional Better Beginnings resources will also be available for families to borrow from City of Melville libraries including picture books, audio books, e-books, games and puppets as well as online databases.

Better Beginnings is a universal family literacy program that supports parents in their child’s early literacy development from birth and now to pre-primary, promoting the importance of reading aloud and the message of reading for enjoyment to children by providing access to free books and resources that can be used at home, at school and at public libraries.

The Better Beginnings program has been developed by The State Library of Western Australia and is funded by the State Government of Western Australia, Royalties for Regions, Rio Tinto and Western Australian Local Governments.

For more information on Better Beginnings at the City of Melville libraries visit www.melvillecity.com.au/libraries