Congress OKs head start bill: law calls for more collaboration with libraries.(Top Stories from slj.com)(Brief article)

More Head Start programs will be working closely with libraries now that the House and Senate have passed the Improving Head Start Act, which recognizes the important role that libraries play in improving literacy.

"The legislation says that a good Head Start program includes collaboration with a library," says Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association's Washington office. "It means that more libraries--especially those in high poverty areas--will be able to offer innovative, high-quality programming." This is the first time that Congress has mentioned libraries in the federal early childhood development program, aimed at increasing …