The Science and Joy of Reading: Literacy in Elementary Libraries (Spring 2026)

AFTER YOU ATTEND THIS COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:

• Understand the key role of the school librarian in supporting early literacy development.
  
  
• Understand the potential impact librarians can have on addressing the current literacy crisis.
  
  
• Define the science of reading and differentiate it from other early literacy teaching methods.
  
  
• Identify and apply the "big six" literacy skills and competencies.
  
  
• Develop strategies for effective collaboration between librarians and classroom teachers to increase student literacy rates.
  
  
• Design literacy-focused activities and programs that can be implemented in a school library setting.

COURSE ADVISOR

Dr. Katie Egan Cunningham , Professor and Program Director of Teacher Education at Sacred Heart University

Dr. Katie Egan Cunningham supports teachers to bridge the science of reading with the joy of learning. She is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Teacher Education at Sacred Heart University where she teaches courses in foundational literacy skills, dyslexia, children’s literature, and social and emotional learning.

Katie is the author or co-author of five books for educators including Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Upper Elementary Classroom. She has degrees from Princeton University, New York University, and Columbia University. Katie lives with her husband, two sons, and Goldendoodle in the woods of Connecticut.

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Elizabeth Dobler , Professor at Emporia State University in The Teachers College and author of Reading the Web: Strategies for Internet Inquiry

Jess Hesselberg , Youth Services Librarian, Bemis Public Library in Littleton, CO

Dr. Rita Reinsel Soulen, PhD , Assistant Professor, MLS Library Science , Interdisciplinary Professions, College of Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Vincent Hyland , Library Coordinator, North Brooklyn, Office of Library Services NYCDOE

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE:

This course is geared toward elementary librarians serving preK-3rd grade students.

THIS WILL BE A SELF-PACED, ASYNCHRONOUS COURSE.

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT:

This course includes 5 modules, each designed to take approximately 3 hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule. You'll earn 15 hours of PD credit and a School Library Journal certificate of completion.

ON-DEMAND ACCESS:

You'll have access to all course materials for six months.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION:

Complete the course and earn 15 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you.

ACCESSIBILITY:

All video sessions feature auto captioning. Please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration if you require any special accommodations and we will make our best efforts to facilitate them.

SUPPORT:

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

DISCOUNTED RATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.

Secure your tickets now to lock in the best price!

GROUP RATES

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.

  For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com.