Join the 2025 CLEL Bells Committee

Hi!  My name is Holly, and I have been on the CLEL Bell Awards committee for two years. I am excited to stay on for a third year as a co-co-chair. (Yes, I meant to put two “co”s there.)  Now, I am normally not the type to volunteer myself to take on more responsibilities. I’m …

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Call to Action – Senate Bill 049

Support Senate Bill 24 – 049, “Content of Material in Libraries” Colorado lawmakers Lisa Cutter, Chris Kolker, Juie Joseph and Eliza Hamrick have introduced a bill that would change how school libraries and public libraries handle book challenges. Senate Bill 24 – 049, “Content of Material in Libraries,” would protect libraries from the increasing number …

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Outreach and Partnerships

By Tina Schmidt / Douglas County Libraries, CLEL Steering Subcommittee Co-Chair  Every other month, CLEL members are invited to come together for Member Meetups. Held virtually, these hour-long sessions are a way for members to connect with colleagues across the state in a casual, conversational atmosphere with topics driven by member survey results. This member …

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Summer Reader’s Advisory for Emergent Readers

By Tina Schmidt / Douglas County Libraries, CLEL Steering Subcommittee Co-Chair Every other month, CLEL members are invited to come together for Member Meetups. Held virtually, these hour-long sessions are a way for members to connect with colleagues across the state in a casual, conversational atmosphere with topics driven by member survey results. This member …

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Diversity in Storytime

By Tina Schmidt / Douglas County Libraries, CLEL Steering Subcommittee Co-Chair  Every other month, CLEL members are invited to come together for Member Meetups. Held virtually, these hour-long sessions are a way for members to connect with colleagues across the state in a casual, conversational atmosphere with topics driven by member survey results. Our first …

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Call for Presenters

The CLEL Conference Committee invites YOU to present at CLELCON23! CLELCON is the annual conference of the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy. It provides workshops, keynote speakers, and networking to anyone who is involved or wants to be involved with early literacy. It is recognized nationwide as a premier early literacy professional development opportunity. CLEL …

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The Right to Read Act

Promotes Students’ Rights to Read and Expands School Library Access! It will likely come as no surprise to librarians and educators that access to well-funded and professionally staffed libraries correlates with academic success and positive life outcomes for all children. Students who utilize school libraries are shown to have significantly higher literacy and graduation rates. …

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Give Your Flannelboard an Early Math Makeover!

by Jessica Fredrickson / Emeritus CLEL Training and Advocacy Chair As Melody Garcia recently posted on the CLEL Blog, early math skills are essential to both later math AND reading success! Reading math picture books in storytime is one great way to help young children build early math skills.  The flannel board is another powerful …

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Installations of Engagement: CLELCON22 Reflections

by Katherine Bunker / High Plains Library District Almost three years after the CoVid-19 pandemic changed the way library professionals engaged patrons, many of us are still navigating the best approach to patron engagement. In the absence of in-person programs due to social distancing restrictions, the popularity of Take-and-Makes (a prepared craft or activity to take home …

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Math Picture Books: CLELCON22 Reflections

by Kaylene Loo / Grand County Library District Being in a rural library, there is the opportunity to do it all.  As of now GCLD has a limited number of staff, therefore library associates take on all programs and library tasks.  I have the wonderful opportunity to do programs in early literacy, but also programs for children, teens, and adults.  In my opinion it is the perfect way to explore different areas.  Not only …

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