Library Wins Grant to Purchase Large Print for Kids

Thanks to a 2023 Texas Book Festival Collection Enhancement grant, Plano Public Library has purchased Junior Large Print books to add to our collection! With grant funding, we were able to purchase 100 books.

Who can use or benefit from this collection?

Large-print books have larger text and more space between lines, making them easier to read for new and striving readers. Striving readers are those who are unmotivated to read, experience learning challenges that affect the ability or desire to read, or English language learners. Younger new and striving readers benefit from the large-print format for needs not related to age, such as line tracking, eye strain and distraction.

Parents learning to read English could benefit by co-reading with their children, simultaneously reinforcing literacy activities within family units while developing their own English literacy skills.

Large-print reading materials also improve access for readers with visual impairments or learning disabilities. PPL has an established commitment to neurodivergent library users through its SNAP (Supporting Neurodivergent Access to Programming) offerings. These programs are designed to serve the needs of neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and their families and caregivers. “Neurodivergent” includes autism spectrum disorder, ADD/ADHD, Tourette’s, and other developmental and learning disabilities. Research reported by the American Library Association indicates that large print materials can support readers facing ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and visual impairments.

How can I find these books?

On the library catalog, of course! You might find them while browsing the shelves at our libraries, but the catalog is the easiest place to see them all in one place. This link should get you the to the collection, otherwise:

1. When using the library catalog, leave the search field blank and click the orange “SEARCH” box.
2. On the left-hand toolbar, scroll down to “Shelf Location” and choose Junior Fiction. Click “include” to narrow the search results.
3. On the left-hand toolbar, scroll down to “Format” and choose Large Print. Click “include” to narrow the search results.
4. You can see the status and location of each title, and easily place a hold.

Thanks to a few members of the Teen Street Team for helping us celebrate this new collection!