MARKETING THE PROGRAM: Under the Resources field below, you can access several products of this IMLS-funded grant that may be helpful as you market the program to parents and children. These include a program poster, sample announcement that you can adapt for your library, and a program postcard that could be printed in bulk. "Making Literacy-Innovation Connections for Rural Public Libraries and Their Youngest Patrons" is a program that was piloted in 10 rural libraries in NYS, NC, AZ, and CO. It was designed by a team of 6 librarians including leaders in the makerspace and innovation areas. Informally, the program is called "Inspiring Invention Through Stories" because of its heavy emphasis on literary and informational texts that inspire inventive thinking. Some libraries alternately call the program "Curious Kids Invent." Literacy is also addressed through the story element in that all the problem-based scenarios in the 24 session plans revolve around an imaginary place called Curiosity Creek. Children must create an invention that solves the problem introduced in the scenario. Return to the project's overview page to access grant products related to preparing the program, running the program, and evaluating it.

literacy-innovation connections, literacy, innovation, public libraries, rural libraries, program marketing