Published on Monday, 5 August 2024 at 10:07:22 AM
Hedland Libraries’ unique literacy initiative Outdoor Storytime, Under the Yarning Tree, has received a commendation at the State Library of Western Australia’s 2024 Library Board Awards for Innovation and Collaboration.
Outdoor Storytime, Under the Yarning Tree, provides a unique approach to literacy by integrating interactive storytelling, creative play, and engagement activities to spark a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Hedland Libraries collaborates with local schools, day-care centres and community organisations to deliver Outdoor Storytime, ensuring its benefits reach a broad audience, supporting early childhood education across Hedland.
Mayor Peter Carter said it was fantastic for Hedland Libraries to be recognised for the program.
“The Town is committed to fostering opportunities to improve access to literacy in the community and support the development of children.” Mayor Carter said.
“By providing them with the potential to grow, learn, develop, they will be equipped to perform well at school and succeed later in life.”
Outdoor Storytime was launched in 2023 and is a popular event at South Hedland Library, bringing children and families together to celebrate literacy.
The initiative was developed with a mission to foster early literacy among young children in the community and was built from a previously successful Outdoor Indigenous Literacy pilot program in 2022.
Outdoor Storytime is held once a month at South Hedland Library, with a special guest reader from the community reading a story that is special to them. The final session for 2024 will be held on Wednesday 14 August from 9:30am. The final presenters will be Alfred Barker and Henry Lockyer.
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