2024 Conference Materials

CLELCON24 Final Schedule Cena Con Cuentos: Spanish-Language Storytime and a Shared Meal Sara Meldrum Challenging Post-COVID Impacts on School Readiness through Storytime Standards Cassandra Welch and Kristin Hare CLEL Mini Grant Winners Kellyanne Healey, Sarah Bean Thompson DEI and Belonging in Children’s Programming Tiffany Miller Teaching a Baby Storytime Tiffany Miller Windows and Mirrors: Library …

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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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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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Look for the Heroes (in Early Literacy)

by Betsy Brainerd (Arapahoe Libraries) & Melody Garcia (CLEL Communications Chair) We followed up with CLEL’s 2021 Hero Award winner, Betsy Brainerd, for some words of encouragement. Betsy is the Early Literacy Supervisor for Arapahoe Libraries and was nominated last year in recognition of her work with the Begin with Books program and ongoing support …

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Leading From Where You Are: CLELCON21 Reflections

by Laura Buck / Douglas County Libraries What an inspiring speech we heard from our keynote speaker Lucia Gonzalez! In this time of uncertainty because of the pandemic, Lucia talked about how we are all on a personal journey. She graciously shared her story with us about coming to this country and finding solace in …

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CLELCON21 Reflections: So Hard to Choose!

Each year CLEL is able to provide scholarship opportunities to Colorado library staff and we ask our recipients to blog about their experience. Remember, if you attended CLELCON21 but missed one of the sessions mentioned here, not to worry! All sessions were recorded and are available on Whova for the next 6 months. Our first …

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