National Literacy Agency, Malta

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Programme name Country Date of information
Home Libraries/Librerija f’Kull Dar Malta 30 May 2019
Question Answer
About the Organisation  
Organisation name National Literacy Agency
Organisation address National Curriculum Centre, Hamrun Malta
Goal/objective The National Literacy Agency (NLA), of the Ministry for Education and Employment, seeks to promote and sustain lifelong and life wide, high quality, literacy practices among children, youth, adults, migrants and persons with learning difficulties. It strives also to improve literacy outcomes, resulting in inclusive practices, higher educational qualifications, and better job prospects. The Agency was established in September 2014 to promote and ensure the delivery of the different aspects of the National Literacy Strategy for All in Malta and Gozo, and serve as a main driver in the field of literacy.  
Contact Person David Muscat
Position of Contact Person CEO National Literacy Agency
Contact email  
Contact Telephone Number  
Organisation website https://education.gov.mt/en/nationalliteracyagency/Pages/nationalliteracyagency.aspx
Organisation type National reading promotion organization
How many staff does your organisation employ? 66
About the Programme  
Basic details  
Programme name Home Libraries/Librerija f’Kull Dar
Country/Province/City where the programme takes place Malta
Year started 2017
Programme goal/objective To provide a literacy environment in the homes of vulnerable families. Encourage parents/guardians to read aloud. To develop a love of books and reading.
Funding sources Government
Geographic coverage All localities in Malta and Gozo.
Purpose of the programme  
Not for profit? Not for profit
Religious or political purpose? None
Local consistency of model  
Is your programme model consistent across your geographic area, or are there regional differences? Consistent  
Book Packs  
What are the contents of your gifting pack? Packs to vulnerable families with children aged between o and 3. This pack consists of two picture books one in Maltese and the other in English, a CD with Maltese nursery rhymes,leaflets with information on how to read aloud and information about the reading for pleasure programmes. Packs to vulnerable families of children aged 3 to 5. This pack contains 24 books, 12 in Maltese and 12 in English, a CD with Maltese nursery rhymes alphabet flashcards and information leaflets with information on how to read aloud and information about the reading for pleasure programmes.  
Is your programme offered free of charge to all families? The programme is offered free of charge.
Partnerships and Delivery  
What are your primary ‘points of contact’ with the population you serve? Library, Hospital, Community centre, Health clinic, School  
Who gifts/hands-out your pack to families?   early literacy specialists  
Please list your other programme partnerships FSWS – Foundation for Social Welfare who identify socially deprived families. Parentcraft Services – The National Literacy Agency coordinates with Parentcraft Services to deliver talks to expectant families and gift book packs to these families.  
Audience  
Is the programme universal or targeted? Targeted to socially deprived families. Expectant families. Families are selected in two ways: a) through FEAD per the following criteria: i. Households in receipt of non-contributory means tested benefits and having two or more children under 16; ii. Households having two or more children under 16 with an income not exceeding 80% National Minimum Wage; iii. Households having two or more children under 16 with an income not exceeding the National Minimum Wage; iv. Non-single households eligible for non-contributory means tested age pension. b) through preschools families are eligible per the following criteria: i. Families with an annual income of 10,000 euros or under; ii. children from families experiencing domestic violence, chronic mental illness, gambling or substance abuse; iii.children unable to take part in school organised activities due to terminal illness in the family; iv. children with refugee status.
How many children does your programme serve a year? Circa 700 children; in 2018, c.600 families benfited from the 0 to 3 packs, and c.100. benefited from the 3 to 5 packs.
At what age/gifting period do children receive your programme.   Packs and distributed as follows: 1) Pre-natal – expectant families who attend Parentcraft talks as part of a prenatal programme; 2) Between the ages of 0 to 3 during the distribution of FEAD (Food Distribution); 3) In preschool classes for children 3 to 5 during reading programmes offered in schools.
Diversity provision  
Does your program include provisions or resources for children with special needs? no  
What language populations does your programme serve? Maltese and English.
Evaluation and research  
Have you conducted programme evaluation or research (including longitudinal)? Not yet.
Further information or comments  
Please give us any further information that would be helpful for us and others to understand your programme Through the ‘Home Libraries/Librerija f’Kull Dar’ project,the Agency is creating home libraries for preschool aged children at-risk, who may have little or no exposure to books.  Furthermore, through this programme the Agency is distributing books to those families of children from 0 to 3 and who benefit from the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) and the State Funded Food Distribution. Expectant families are also gifted with book packs.     

Videos

22 Nov 2022 meeting – Training storytellers and reading aloud ambassadors & animators

Miriam Schembri: Senior Manager, Reading for Pleasure Programmes, National Literacy Agency, Malta – Training Reading Animators, Storytellers and Educators

18 June 2020 meeting –  Supporting vulnerable or at risk families

Miriam Schembri: National Literacy Agency, Malta – Home Libraries: providing a literacy environment in the homes of vulnerable families