Unlocking Literacy: Five Action Steps for Implementing the Science of Reading

Elizabeth M. McChesney has three decades of experience in children’s librarianship and library administration. She has earned Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers Award, the National Summer Learning Association’s Founder’s Award for Excellence, and the Association for Library Service to Children’s Distinguished Service Award, and she is a recipient of the John Cotton Dana Award. McChesney serves as the director of community engagement and early childhood for the LaundryCares Foundation, is a senior advisor in educational equity for the Urban Libraries Council, and is the field consultant in libraries and literacy for the National Summer Learning Association. She passionately believes in the public library as a place of learning, education, joy, and wonder for all kids.

Lauren Boeke has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and an extensive background in non-profit preschool education both as a teacher and administrator. She has worked at Toledo Lucas County Public Library since 2013. She helped develop and launch the system's wildly popular Ready to Read program, which has served well over 15,000 families since 2014. She currently works as Toledo Lucas County Library's Assistant Youth Services Coordinator.

Nancy Eames is the Youth Services Coordinator for Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL). She has worked for TLCPL for over 37 years and her library won the National Medal for Museum and Library Services in 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education (K-8) from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Library Science from Kent State University. In addition to coordinating children's and teen services for 20 locations, she oversees the Ready to Read outreach program, which helps families, caregivers, and early childhood teachers prepare their children for reading success.