ABSTRACT

US Public libraries are ideal contexts to support early learning and family engagement. However, they are still not fully connected with the early childhood systems within their communities, limiting their potential impact to prepare children and families for the transition to formal schooling. Further, COVID-19 has exacerbated existing barriers to library access, particularly for historically marginalized populations. To address this gap, we contend that public library-university partnerships are one way public libraries can improve their impact and expand their reach. Public libraries and developmental researchers share similar goals and possess complementary expertise that makes a partnership approach to collaboration mutually beneficial.

摘要

美国公共图书馆是支持早期学习和家庭参与的理想场所。然而，他们仍未与社区内的幼儿系统完全联系，限制了他们为儿童和家庭准备过渡到正规学校教育的潜在影响。此外，COVID-19 加剧了现有的图书馆访问障碍，特别是对于历史上被边缘化的人群。为了解决这一差距，我们认为公共图书馆与大学的合作伙伴关系是公共图书馆提高影响力和扩大影响力的一种方式。公共图书馆和发展研究人员有着相似的目标并拥有互补的专业知识，这使得合作伙伴关系方法互惠互利。