Project Partner: San Joaquin County Children & Families Commission

Project Highlights:
In March 2001, Training Wheels became the first of twelve vehicles to arrive in California, funded through the partnership of the California State Library and the California State Children's and Families Commission. Training Wheels takes the Library's Family Literacy Program out of the conventional library setting into rural and underserved areas of San Joaquin County. The Library believes that parents are their children's first and most important teachers. Through the Training Wheels program, parents and caregivers are taught why and how to use books with young children ages 0-5.

Training Wheels is 32' long with a colorful, attractive exterior featuring pictures of children, one of whom is a local girl! The inside of the vehicle is alive with primary colors, music, puppets, and children's books. It also houses parenting books and videos for borrowing. There are two computers on board with preschool software. Services include parent discussions, literacy activities, storytimes, book giveaways, and community resource referrals. Friendly, knowledgeable, bilingual staff reflect the communities they serve. All of the above make Training Wheelsthe ideal place for parents, caregivers, and children.

A generous grant from the San Joaquin County Children's and Families Commission provides continuing support for the Training Wheels program. Future plans include visits to teen parenting classes and guest speakers on health, safety and child development.

Vehicle stops include:
Pre-schools/HeadStarts
Private Day Cares
Migrant/Immigrant Family Residences
Language Disorder Clinic
Special needs class at public school
Shelters for the homeless

Contact Person:
Jane Cook, Supervising Librarian
Library Family Literacy Program
Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library
605 N. El Dorado Street
Stockton CA 95202
(209) 937-8312