Providing positive, meaningful
and effective literacy support
for developing readers.

 
Providing positive, meaningful
and effective literacy support
for developing readers.

Libraries

Public libraries are committed to inspiring lifelong readers, providing access to resources, and strengthening communities. Parents and their children count on being able to find interesting texts at all reading levels as well as personalized and informed help finding a book at their library. The inviting library environment provides a fun place to be introduced to books year round.

Zirkel game play provides a fun reading experience such that a child becomes intrinsically motivated to read more. Parents view the library as serving preschool children but not elementary school children with the exception of summer reading programs. Zirkel expands the perceived usefulness of the library as not only being a source of books but the library is seen as actually supporting reading development as well.

Libraries are committed to being an integral part of the community that they serve. Community partnerships are formed when a library includes Zirkel game play in their programming. The use of Zirkel in a library setting opens the door to reaching out to underserved populations, collaborating with schools, and utilizing community member volunteers as Reading Buddies.

Zirkel can be used in public libraries in a variety of ways. For example, the Loveland Public Library has Zirkel available for families to check-out and use at home. The library has also hired Kids Read staff to train Reading Buddy community volunteers to play Zirkel with kids at the library during the school year and during the summer. In addition, the library has three outreach sites that serve children that come from low income families. The impact has been significant! One child said, “At first I didn’t want to come. Now I keep asking my mom if it’s Buddy Reading day yet!”





Here is what librarians said about Zirkel
:

The principles of Zirkel closely align with the core mission of public libraries.”

Cynthia Slosson,  Children’s Literacy Outreach Coordinator,  Loveland Public Library  

“I have been approached by countless numbers of parents desperate for some tool to help them support a son or daughter who is a struggling reader.  For the first time I feel that I have a concrete tool that not only engages the child but involves the parent or caregiver in a fun and interactive process using authentic texts.” 

Dawn Middleton, Children’s Supervisor Loveland Public Library

The Zirkel game fits perfectly with our philosophy of promoting reading all year long and with our mission of outreach to the community.”  

Dawn Middleton, Children’s Supervisor Loveland Public Library

© 2016 Kids Read