The Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 on behalf of The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries, is accepting applications from public libraries to participate in the Play & Grow Library Project. The goal of the Play & Grow project is to assist libraries without a full-time children’s librarian in creating high quality preschool programming and creating early childhood areas that have high appeal to families with young children birth to entering Kindergarten. This opportunity uses federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Sciences and Technology Act (LSTA).

Project Description
This project will provide training and materials support for selected public libraries to develop a Play and Grow program. The Play and Grow project focuses on library programming for early childhood that moves beyond storytimes including:

• Infant and toddler activities that develop the whole child
• Collection development for children birth to five, as well as the adults in their lives
• Family engagement; including developing an understanding of the Strengthening Families Five -Protective Factors and Trauma Informed Care
• Importance of play
• Developing a Play and Grow space for families in your library
• Integrating opportunities for Social Emotional learning and emotional regulation into programming

The Play and Grow Library project seeks libraries:

• Whose children’s person works 25 hours or less per week; or libraries where the director or volunteer(s) presents the programs.
• Who want to provide programming and support for all families in their community.
• Who want to work with families to raise preschoolers who are curious, developing social and emotional skills, and who love to learn.
• From anywhere in the state.

Selected libraries will be required to:

• Attend and actively participate in four virtual training sessions on January 24, February 28, March 28, and May 30, 2025. Sessions will take place from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and must be attended during that time. Participants should have access to the Zoom meeting platform on their device, as well as a web camera, microphone, and speakers or headset.
• Complete one additional assigned 1-hour virtual training on your own schedule.
• Ensure the library director attends an introductory webinar on January 17, 2025 at 10 AM or view the recording prior to signing the participation agreement.
• Conduct at least two Play and Grow programs for children ages 0-5 by June 30, 2025.
• Submit a final impact report by June 30, 2025.
• Sustain the Play and Grow concept and programs for a minimum of two years.

Participating libraries will be provided with a Play and Grow materials kit for use in creating and/or updating an early childhood space, as well as the materials needed for preschool programming supporting the Play and Grow approach.

Ready to apply? Please use this link to complete the application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XFHY9H9. A PDF of the Play and Grow 2025 Application Questions is attached for your reference.

Application deadline is 5:00 PM on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

For more information, please contact Heather Smith, Early Childhood Services Advisor for the Bureau of Library Development.

The Bureau of Library Development (BLD) in the Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports libraries and library services for Pennsylvanians through the administration of state and federally funded programs and grant opportunities including LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), Library Access, LAMP (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians), the Public Library Subsidy, and Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. BLD also provides advisory services, professional development, and continuing education for library staff and volunteer leadership at public, school, academic, and special libraries.

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