Coalition takes part in research study

This past spring, the Literacy Coalition partnered with the Upstate Institute of Colgate and members of Professor Ellen Percy Kraly’s GEOG 250 Research Methods class to measure shared reading habits between parents/ caregivers and pre-kindergarten children within Madison County.

This project provided valuable information to the Literacy Coalition about how parents/caregivers perceive their child’s kindergarten readiness, and it also pointed to additional data collection needs about reading habits in the county. The Literacy Coalition hopes to work with the students this fall to collect more information about ideas that emerged through the initial project.

“The Colgate students are eager to contribute to this project, and over the next several weeks will be honing their skills in interviewing. They come from all over the U.S. and have sought to learn as much as they can about Madison County and its communities,” said Ellen Percy Kraly, Professor, Colgate University.

The Literacy Coalition of Madison County NY was founded in 2009 by over 50 community organizations committed to improving child, family and adult literacy throughout the county. In 2012, the coalition implemented the Dolly Parton Imagination Library throughout the county by providing free books to children birth to age five every month. Currently, more t han 1,400 children are receiving a book amonth, and over 16,000 books were distributed to children this past year.

The stakeholders identified for the ongoing research this fall include representatives fromthe county’s school districts, daycare centers, libraries and notfor-profit organizations who are best able to share their ideas about these themes. The students anticipate the interviews will take approximately 30 minutes.

The Literacy Coalition anticipates that this re- search may identify how they can address issues of accessing or using the books at home and then use this information to seek funding to enhance the impact of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

For more information about coalition programs, or to make a tax deductible donation, visit www.literacycoalitionmadisoncountyny.org, or e-mail Interim Executive Director Elizabeth Crofut at elizabethcrofut@gmail.com. Checks can also be mailed to LCMCNY 1081 Northside Plaza Gorman Foundation Center, Oneida, N.Y. 13421

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Members of the Madison County Literacy Coalition take part in a research project measuring reading habits between parents/guardians and pre-kindergarten children.

Members of the Madison County Literacy Coalition take part in a research project measuring reading habits between parents/guardians and pre-kindergarten children.