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Reading Resources for Young Children

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Books Build Connections Toolkit

Early learning resources are provided by the AAP to assist physicians in promoting, helping and guiding parents and caregivers on the importance of early learning, talking and reading for infants and toddlers. This toolkit also shares parent resources to help families learn ways to introduce and explore early learning and reading at home.
aap.org/en/patient-care/
AAP Books Build Connections Toolkit

Central Ohio Public Libraries

Visit your local library to get access to free books, music, movies, documentaries, games, and more. Many libraries offer free community events, group reading times for children, homework help, job and business help, and more. Librarians can often help you get connected to local resources in your community, even if they are not offered directly by the library. Contact your local library for details.

Ohio

Franklin County

Delaware County

Fairfield County

Hocking County

Licking County

Madison County

Morrow County

Perry County

Pickaway County

Union County

Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML)

CML is an award-winning library and amazing resource in the community. With 23 locations throughout Franklin County, they provide a lot more than just books, including lots of free online resources, story times for kids, and community events. Programs include:

  • Adaptive Services: Request accommodations, adaptive audio and visual equipment, and large print reading materials.
  • Adult Education:  ESOL and GED referrals; free technology business, and coding classes; history and genealogy experts, Digital Navigator staff can help you access hardware and software, and Excel Adult High School allows adults to get their high-school degree in an online, self-paced program.
  • Business & Nonprofit Resource Center: Visit Main Library for access to co-working space, specialized professional help, access to community partners, tools, and resources.
  • Culture Pass: Use your library card to check out a Culture Pass for free admission to a variety of Columbus organizations and events; including Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Clippers, Columbus Symphony, and more.
  • Kindergarten Readiness: Find Storytimes, Play to Learn, and Kindergarten readiness classes for ages 0-5. They also have Skill Builder videos with activities you can do together at home.
  • Notary Service: Free basic notary service with an Ohio Notary Public at most library locations. Schedule an appointment online.
  • School Help: K-12 students can get after-school homework help, K-3 students can get extra reading practice with Reading Buddies in person or online, HelpNow offers 24/7 online homework help and test prep, and some locations host After School Snack times.
  • Teen Programs: YouMedia Discord for ages 13-17 to work on music, podcasts, videos, and more with skilled mentors; homework and test prep help, and monthly Teen Spotlight videos.

Locations:

  • Barnett (Temporary Location): 3227 East Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43227
  • Canal Winchester: 115 Franklin Street, Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110
  • Driving Park: 1422 Esat Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205
  • Dublin: 75 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43017
  • Franklinton: 1061 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
  • Gahanna: 310 Granville Street, Gahanna, Ohio 43230
  • Hilliard: 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
  • Hilltop: 511 South Hague Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
  • Karl Road: 5590 Karl Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
  • Linden (Temporary Location): 1990 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211
  • Main Library: 96 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
  • Marion-Franklin: 2800 Lockbourne Road, Columbus, Ohio 43207
  • Martin Luther King: 1467 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
  • New Albany: 200 Market Street, New Albany, Ohio 43054
  • Northern Lights: 4093 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43224
  • Northside: 1423 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201
  • Parsons: 1113 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
  • Reynoldsburg: 1402 Brice Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
  • Shepard: 850 North Nelson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
  • South High: 3540 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43207
  • Southeast: 3980 South Hamilton Road, Groveport, Ohio 43125
  • Whetstone: 3909 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
  • Whitehall: 4445 Esat Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213

(614) 645-2275
Upcoming Events: events.columbuslibrary.org/events?
Website: columbuslibrary.org

Dawes Arboretum

Enriches lives through the conservation of trees, nature and history in Newark, Ohio. They offer regular programs and events for families including Home School Investigations, Preschool Storybook Science, and Camp Dawes summer day camp for ages 5-14. Scholarships are available for family programming. The campus has nearly 2,000 acres of plant collections, gardens, hiking trails and natural areas for anyone to learn and explore.
7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark, Ohio 43056
(740) 323-2355
dawesarb.org

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio (Free Books for Young Kids in Ohio)

Provides free books to children from birth to age 5. Through the partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, you can sign up to get a free book very month for your child. The sign-up process is very easy, and can be done with just some basic information. Visit the website to enroll in the program.
Click to enroll: ohioimaginationlibrary.org

Home for Families (HFF)

Provides wrap-around programming to support families overcoming or at-risk for homelessness. Case managers help families access stable housing, emergency rent and utility assistance, household and hygiene items. Education programs include SPARK for 3-4 year old children not enrolled in Pre-K to prepare for Kindergarten, and STEAM afterschool and summer programs for grades K-8 at Dowd Education Center.
homeforfamilies.org

INFOhio

INFOhio is Ohio’s PreK-12 digital library. Use the website to find free reading materials, websites, videos, and games organized by age and grade level. Topics range from early learning and learning to read, world languages, STEM, crafts, and more. Parents and Educators can also find parenting resources and professional literature databases. All resources align with the Ohio Department of Education Standards.
infohio.org

Institute of Reading Development Summer Reading Programs

Offers 5-week summer reading programs for a wide range of ages (4-year-olds to college students). Programs are available in-person or online. Programs cover reading comprehension, reading speed, study skills, test-taking strategies and other skills. The program does have a cost for tuition and materials, and tuition varies by program. Scholarships are offered based on financial need and availability of funds, and they offer sibling / family discounts. In-person classes in Columbus are held at Ohio Dominican University in East Columbus and Otterbein University in Westerville. The program is offered by Case Western Reserve University. Call to enroll.
(800) 903-1925
readingprograms.org/case

National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind & Print Disabled

A free library program for people with low vision, blindness, or are otherwise print disabled. NLS circulates free books and magazines in Braille or audio formats, delivered by postage-free mail or the Braille Audio Reading Download (BARD) app. Their Kids Catalog has fun books and magazines for kids. Fill out the Information Request form to get started.
(888) 657-7323
loc.gov/nls

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Reach Out & Read (ROR)

Partners with primary care nurse practitioners and doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together starting 6 months to 5 years vaccination or well child visits. Visit the website to find out how teens and adults can volunteer for ROR and how donate new or gently used picture books and board books.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
nationwidechildrens.org/reach-out-and-read

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)

Statewide nonprofit organization serving educators, agencies, and families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio. Programs include 1:1 reading mentoring, It’s My Turn free online self-advocacy course for middle and high schoolers, Family-to-Family meetings for parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, and parent mentoring. Families and professionals can find helpful trainings, videos, and tipsheets on their website. Call your county’s Information Specialist for help getting connected to resources in your area.
125 Executive Drive, Marion, Ohio 43302
(844) 382-5452
Information Specialist Directory (Click on your County): filecabinet5.eschoolview.com/7132D93C-113A-42DB-AD9B-3D42946C44E5/effd8e8a-ebbd-4eb0-8dea-6fee64aba5a4.pdf
Main Website: ocecd.org

Ohio Digital Library eBook Project

Allows library members to go online and download a wide variety of popular book titles in eBook and audio format. They have curated collections such as Deaf Culture and ASL, New Adult Readers, Teens, and more. Visit the website to see if your library participates, and sign in using your library card or Student ID.
State Library of Ohio
274 East First Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 644-7061
ohdbks.overdrive.com

Reading Rockets

National literacy initiative providing many free resources for families, teachers, and librarians. Go online for resources on teaching kids to read, help for struggling readers, help for kids with dyslexia, literacy apps, webcasts, common core information, book lists, reading classes and more.
readingrockets.org

Sesame Street in the Communities

Provides fun and educational resources for families from the child educators behind the Sesame Street show. Topics range from ABCs & 123s to tough topics that affect children’s lives; including health and wellness, social-emotional skills, trauma, race, grief, and more. They offer free videos, games, and worksheets for children to explore; and resources for parents and educators.

Sesame Workshop Resources for Families Website: sesameworkshop.org/resources
Kids’ Website: sesamestreet.org/home

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