Adults and students aren't the only ones being provided with computer access at the library. Many libraries are offering Early Literacy Stations for those children learning to read. Early literacy stations have a colorful keyboard to help enhance learning letter placement, and a colorful mouse to help differentiate which button to click. They come pre-loaded with educational games that teach phonics, word sounds, letter and number recognition, addition and subtraction, shapes, patterns, and other early learning concepts. These computers are not hooked up to the Internet so that little ones are not exposed to inappropriate content, and time limits can be set. These computers can be hooked up to a printer so that pictures or images from the games can be printed.


It is not news to anyone that reading skills are extremely important for young children to learn. Nor, can anyone deny how necessary having computer skills is becoming in today's society. These Early Literacy Stations are helping provide young children with good basic skills they will build on for the rest of their lives. I hope every library will soon have these available in their children's departments.