By Brook Loomis, Director of Development, Rockford Public Library
Rockford Public Library (RPL) is thrilled to offer Storytime Kits as part of our “Modeled Moments” initiative which supports early literacy by placing high-quality resources and training directly into the hands of our community partners. These kits are thoughtfully curated around specific themes and include books, hands-on activities, song lists, and recommendations for further reading, transforming ordinary reading sessions into engaging, multi-sensory learning experiences for young learners.
What makes these Storytime Kits unique isn't just their contents – it's the way we're teaching others to use them effectively. Each month, our Youth Services team at RPL’s New Main Library hosts free training sessions (first Tuesday of every month, 6-7 PM) to teach community partners how to create engaging, intentional Storytimes. We’re empowering participants to lead sessions that make a lasting impact on young learners.
The response has been remarkable. Our training sessions consistently draw enthusiastic participants, and it’s inspiring to see these kits being used in a variety of settings across Rockford. For instance, during Hispanic Heritage Month, we hosted four Spanish-language Storytimes across our branch locations using kits that include Spanish-language resources, helping us better serve our diverse community.
“Modeled Moments” begin with RPL’s partnership with United Way of Rock River Valley through the United for Literacy Partnership, where we saw firsthand the importance of structured, librarian-led Storytimes in promoting early literacy. Today, with Storytime Kits and targeted training, we’re building on this foundation to make literacy tools widely accessible. When we see trained volunteers conducting Storytimes throughout our community using these carefully crafted kits, we know we're achieving that vision.
We invite all community organizations, including daycare providers, community centers, and faith-based groups, to join us in our mission. After completing the training sessions, participants can borrow our Storytime Kits for use in their own programs, expanding access to quality early literacy experiences throughout Rockford.
To learn more about our next "Modeled Moments" training session, please visit the Events - Rockford Public Library our Youth Services Department at RPL's New Main Library located at 215 N. Wyman Street, Rockford, IL 61101.