sport and community services committee 1 ......2016/11/16 · 5 agenda – sport and community...

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Agenda – Sport and Community Services Committee 16 November 2016 #5260995

SPORT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

16 NOVEMBER 20161

CAIRNS LIBRARIES - FIRST5FOREVER EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM

Sandra Sayaxang | 1/53/1-10 | #5187493

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Council notes the progress of the first5forever Early Literacy Program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

In early 2015, Council was awarded $701,932 to deliver the first5forever program over four years. This program is funded by the State Library of Queensland, commencing 1 January 2015 and concluding 31 December 2018. This report provides an overview of Cairns Libraries first5forever (f5f) program deliverables so far, including planned community engagement events across the region.

The new project directly supports parents and primary caregivers to be confident as the child’s first and most important teacher, together with providing parents with increased access to much needed resources through public libraries.

Key achievements to date are:Launch at Earlville library event with over 100 participating families;Events including Rugby League Reading Legends; Wiggly Worms music program and pop-up library activities attracting 734 participants;Program delivery in community centres as well as traditional library programming Partnerships with a variety of state agencies and community organisations; andLaunch of a dedicated webpage

BACKGROUND:

On 31 January 2015, all Queensland local government authorities operating a public library service or an indigenous knowledge centre received an allocation of the f5f grant funding to implement new programs unlike those existing, such as general storytime sessions and activities. Cairns Regional Council was allocated $701,932, payable in four annual instalments of $175,483, to identify recipients and to develop and deliver new dynamic and intuitive early literacy programs across the region.

first5forever (formerly Best Start) is a universal family literacy program aimed at supporting stronger language and literacy environments for young children from 0–5years and their families. The Australian Early Development Census data for 2015 showed that 26.1% of Queensland children were developmentally vulnerable or at risk on one or more developmental domains including language and cognitive skills. Queensland ranks sixth behind the other states.

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The funding has provided Cairns Libraries the opportunity to:Creatively plan and explore new programs, services and partnership opportunities within the local community;Increase programs and services for families with children aged 0–5 years; andIncorporate and deliver staff training and professional development programs across the region.

A Project Coordinator was subsequently appointed to research, consult, develop and rollout the objectives of the Project. As a result of comprehensive data research and consultation with stakeholder groups, professional program partners were identified and engaged and fully trained in the requirements of the four year project. Family tool kits, promotional material and other merchandise were designed and procured, and Cairns Libraries formally launched the first5forever program across all library branches19 March 2016.

Earlville library hosted the main event with children’s activities, face painting, a children’s music session run by Mango Music, and visit from the library mascot, Dewey. This event was well attended with over 100 families visiting the library, a total of 143 f5fspecifically branded parent toolkits collected by families, 18 new library membershipsand 20 new e-newsletter registrations.

To coincide with the launch event, a dedicated f5f Webpage was also added to the Cairns Libraries Website. Promotional activities were also conducted by the team at:

Mt Sheridan Plaza information standSmithfield Shopping Centre information standCentre stage Stockland full stage display

Cairns Libraries now offers a range of new programs and services for local families as part of the f5f program. The programs so far delivered in 2016 include:

Rugby Leagues Reading LegendsWiggly Worms Music programfirst5forever dedicated Storytime programfirst5forever outreach Pop-up Library first5forever Storytime Staff Professional Development program

COMMENT:

Cairns Libraries is continuously aiming to increase partnerships, explore new engaging programs and improve existing events crafted to support early literacy. Outreach is playing a major role in connecting with families who benefit most from the program which includes the following initiatives:

first5forever Pop-up Library

The f5f Pop-Up Library is an initiative of Cairns Libraries and a core component of the community outreach program. As a vital element within the program, the Pop-UpLibrary aims to provide families with access to quality resources and information, and to provide opportunities for parents and carers to engage with their children in activities

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such as reading, literacy and language activities in a relaxing and inviting outdoor environment.

The f5f Pop-Up Library provides a comfortable and safe space where families can engage in shared reading activities within two easily identifiable branded marqueesmanned by the library team. A hand selected library collection (containing a range of quality children’s books), cushions, mats, activity tables are provided. The Pop-Up library has been highly visible at events with a total of 734 visitors keenly engaging and participating in reading and craft activities.

The Pop-Up library appeared at the following events in 2016:

Barlow Park Sea Swift Northern Pride seven home gamesCairns Children’s FestivalGordonvale Teddy Bear’s PicnicHambledon State School under 8’s dayNAIDOC in the ParkStratford Community Market DayCairns Festival – Festival for Kids (Muddy’s Play Ground)The Cairns ShowChild Protection Week Family Fun Day – Ravizza ParkBabinda Harvest FestivalBaby Welcome Expo

Rugby League Reading Legends Program

Rugby League Reading Legends is a Cairns Libraries initiative launched April 2016 concluding August 2016. The program was delivered in collaboration with the Sea Swift Northern Pride Rugby League Club at seven home games located at Barlow Park, with the assistance and contribution of eleven Northern Pride players reading to children.Local families and children who attended the pop-up library enjoyed reading and interacting with their sporting heroes, whilst learning about the f5f program.

As additional reading inspiration, children took home selected pre-loved library books signed by their favourite player. Approximately 130 children and adults participated in activities and engaged in reading with various team members across the program.

first5forever Professional Development and Training

One of the SLA deliverables is also to increase the professionalism, knowledge and expertise of the library team in supporting targeted programs. A significant increase of initiatives has been delivered internally and to the local community as detailed in this report. Since program implementation Cairns Libraries has hosted two f5f State Library of Queensland two-day professional development workshops. Presenters from the State Library of Queensland; Dan Georgeson (Executive Manager, SLQ Literacy and Young Peoples Service) and Kylie Webb (Paediatric Speech Pathologist, first5forever team), library staff, external community members, non-government organisations (NGO’s), not for profit (NFP) groups and representatives from other councils attended the workshops. Positive feedback was received from all participants, many expressing high interest in f5f and those from external organisations were keen to have involvement in the program.

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Prior to the launch of the f5f Storytime program, key storytime staff participated in a two-day professional development workshop. Staff received training on content specific to planning and delivery of f5f Storytimes. The training was developed as a core component of the f5f Storytime program. The intended outcome of training program was for key storytime library staff to acquire and develop skills and knowledge essential to planning and delivering quality storytime sessions. The program coordinator developed and facilitated practical workshops combined with a number of special external guest speakers.

Staff feedback and comments post-workshop indicated that content and activities acquired from the training had been both informative and helpful in planning and delivering storytime sessions.

Wiggly Worms Music Program

The Wiggly Worms Music program is a Cairns Libraries initiative conducted in partnership with qualified educator Michelle Burcin. Wiggly Worms is an interactive music based program for parents, carers, babies and young children featuring song, dance, movement, play and percussion instruments. Initially launched at Smithfield library, Stratford library and the Gordonvale Community Hub, Wiggly Worms Music has since been rolled out to Manunda library, Earlville library, Bayview Heights C&K Community Kindergarten and the Gordonvale Early Years Centre. This program has been well accepted in the local community with sessions for Movers & Groovers (suitable for children aged one to five years) often booked out.

Following closely, the Bopping Babies session (suitable for babies aged three to 12months) has proved popular and continues to gain new members with attendance rates increasing. Bopping Babies has attracted a total of 205 participants; Movers & Groovers has had a total of 883 participants with 20 sessions to be delivered in November and December 2016.

first5forever Storytime Program

The newly crafted f5f Storytime program was introduced in September 2016 at Earlville, City and Smithfield libraries. New storytime sessions delivered as part of this programhave included Yoga Storytime at Smithfield library, Taipans Storytime at Earlville and City libraries. The f5f funding has also allowed for an increased capacity of storytime sessions across all three libraries. In total, an additional 29 Storytime sessions will be delivered to the local community as part of the f5f Storytime program between September 2016 and December 2016.

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first5forever Little Red Box Project

The “Little Red Box” project is the latest project initiative created through the program and launched in October 2016 delivering three Little Red Box kits to:

The Indigenous Job Connections Hub (IJC) in ManundaThe Mooroobool HubCairns North Community Health Centre.

Each Little Red Box contains resources such as picture books, puppets, soft toys, musical instruments and baby toys to help promote language and literacy development.The Little Red Boxes have been made accessible and free to local families attending the sites for community programs and services such as playgroups and immunisation sessions. These resource kits will be rotated and refreshed on a monthly basis and have so far been received with enthusiasm by the participating organisations.

Outreach and Community Partnerships

The f5f Outreach and Community Partnerships program provides Cairns Libraries with further opportunities to deliver increased outreach services, taking library services out into the community and into public spaces that are most commonly occupied by families with children between the ages of 0–5 years.

A community needs analysis was initially undertaken by the f5f coordinator as part of the planning process and has helped to make informed decisions relating to theoutreach component of this program. Subsequently this has assisted Cairns Librariesto identify and service vulnerable, hard-to-reach and non-library users together with Cairns Libraries current membership base. The f5f Outreach and Community Partnerships program has also provided Cairns Libraries with the opportunity to engage and create partnerships with local service providers.

Partnerships have included Queensland Health, Department of Education and Training,Sea Swift Northern Pride, Indigenous Job Connections Hub, Mooroobool Hub, Playgroups Australia and the CQUniversity Cairns Taipans. Program planning has been a coordinated effort between Cairns Libraries and these external community contacts, where services and activities have been planned accordingly to common goals identified.

OPTIONS:

1. Council notes this report

2. Requests additional information/clarification about a specific aspect of the first5forever program

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CONSIDERATIONS:

Risk Management:

The first5forever program relies on state government funding which is approved on an annual basis. Discontinued funding is a potential risk for this program however the State Library of Queensland first5forever literacy team regularly report on program progress thus mitigating the level of this risk.

Council Finance and the Local Economy:

To date first5forever grant funding of $350,966 has been received by Cairns Regional Council from the State Library of Queensland. In line with the SLA any unspent funding in the calendar year is carried over to the next calendar year. The program budget remains on target with future expenditure planned for community consultation, outsourcing of children’s activities and events such as procured workshops and programming, staffing costs, professional development, merchandise and marketing collateral. Local consultants and professional performers have been contracted by Council to facilitate and deliver workshops. Local business providing services such as technical, training and catering have also been engaged.

Corporate and Operational Plans:

Aligns with Cairns Regional Council Corporate Plan 2013-2018

CONSULTATION:

Consultation has occurred with State Library, Education sector representatives and other libraries.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. 2016 first5forever attendance and participation table2. Rugby League Reading Legends3. Wiggly Worms Music Program – Bopping Babies Smithfield Library4. Wiggly Worms Music – Movers & Groovers Gordonvale Community Hub5. Taipans Storytime Program at Earlville Library6. Cairns Libraries first5forever Storytime Professional Development Program7. Little Red Box Project – IJC Hub and North Cairns Community Health Centre8. first5forever Pop-up Library - NAIDOC in the Park

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Sandra SayaxangFirst5forever Coordinator

Kerrie StillBranch Manager Cairns Libraries

Linda KirchnerGeneral Manager Community Sport and Cultural Services

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ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1: 2016 first5forever attendance and participation table

Cairns Libraries 2016 first5foreverEvent/Program

Total sessions delivered

Total number of participants

first5forever State Library of Queensland Professional Development

2 41

first5forever Launch (All libraries) 980

Rugby League Reading Legends 7 129

Wiggly Worms Music Program:

- Bopping Babies

- Movers & Groovers

32 268

74 1017

first5forever Pop-up Library & outreach events

18 1138

first5forever Storytime library program:

- Taipans Storytime

- Yoga Storytime

2 82

4 80

- Cairns Libraries first5forever Storytime sessions

7 124

Cairns Libraries first5forever Professional Development Program

2 12

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Attachment 2: Rugby League Reading Legends Sea Swift Northern Pride

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Attachment 3: Wiggly Worms Music Program – Bopping Babies Smithfield Library

Attachment 4: Wiggly Worms Music – Movers & Groovers Gordonvale Community Hub

Attachment 5: Taipans Storytime Program at Earlville LibraryAttachment 5: CQ University Cairns Taipans Story Time

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Attachment 5: CQ University Cairns Taipans Story Time

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Attachment 6: Cairns Libraries first5forever Storytime Professional Development Program

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Attachment 7: Little Red Box Project – IJC Hub and North Cairns Community Health Centre

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Attachment 8: first5forever Pop-up Library - NAIDOC in the Park

sport and community services committee 1 ......2016/11/16 · 5 agenda – sport and community...

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