Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) and the Lowcountry Literacy Project (LLP) are partnering to launch the region’s first dedicated collection of decodable readers, providing families with new resources to help children build foundational reading skills.
The new pilot collection, located at the Otranto Road Library, features books intentionally designed to align with the sound-spelling patterns children learn through phonics instruction. Decodable books give beginning and struggling readers opportunities to practice these skills independently, helping build reading accuracy, fluency, confidence, and automaticity.
Families are invited to learn more about the collection during a free inaugural workshop at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Otranto Road Library. The workshop will be presented by Katie Reel, Parent Coach with the Lowcountry Literacy Project.
During the workshop, parents and caregivers will learn:
- What decodable books are and how they differ from leveled readers
- How to determine whether a child is ready for decodable books and where to start
- Signs that a child may benefit specifically from decodable books rather than simply “easier” books
- How to use the new collection at Otranto Road Library to find appropriate books
- Simple strategies for making reading practice at home more effective
- How to know when a child is ready to transition from decodable books to regular chapter books
- Where families can turn for additional help when at-home practice is not closing reading gaps
The new collection is designed to extend evidence-based literacy instruction beyond the classroom by giving children access to books that match the reading patterns they are learning at school. CCPL and LLP hope the pilot will provide a foundation for expanding access to decodable collections at libraries throughout the Lowcountry.
The kickoff workshop is open to families with children who are just beginning to read as well as those who have been struggling with reading and may benefit from additional practice and support.