[kids-lib] Program Idea: Grandparents and their grandkids in the library

[Katie Anderson]

Have you noticed that more and more grandparents are taking care of their grandchild on a regular basis?

How is your library helping grandparents get information on health, safety, child development, and education that has been dramatically updated since they raised their own children?

How are is your library engaging grandparents in literacy programming to make them feel welcome, included, and capable of helping their grandchildren develop literacy skills and do their homework?

Here is one great idea from Kat Davis and Jennifer Furuyama at Pendleton Public Library:

Grandparenting 101 (http://pplteens.weebly.com/blog.html)
This class was Kat's brainchild. She is always thinking of new ways the library can reach out to the community. The May 9th program is the first in a series. The goal is to have an expert at each meeting who can teach the group pertinent info in their area of interest. For example, Susan Bullington RN will be talking about immunizations, car seat safety, screen time, nutrition, dental health etc. She will also be leaving plenty of time in her presentation for discussion. They really want this series to help develop a sense of community amongst grandparents who are playing an active role in raising their grandparents.

They will gage interest level at the first meeting and develop the content of the rest of the series from there. Some ideas Jennifer has for future programs include "How to help your grandchild with their school work when you are not computer savvy" and "Ways to keep the kids busy over the summer without plugging them in."


The Early Learning Council is extremely interested in how to increase quality in childcare provided by family, friends, and neighbors who "babysit" for children on a regular basis (once a week or more). Family, friends, and neighbors usually just think they are just helping out a relative or friend rather than thinking of themselves as childcare providers so typically don't tap into resources and support available to them. This grandparenting program is one way to address this issue. Any other ideas? Please share!

Katie Anderson, Library Development Services
* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528
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