(Note: Carver County Library branch managers are providing updates on programs and services for Carver County Local News. This month, Chanhassen and Victoria location manager Patrick Jones shares information on upcoming programs. Check the library Events Calendar for more details about dozens of options).
By Patrick Jones
This summer, look for two new kinds of books for kids. VOX Books are hardcover books with built-in audio readers, allowing children to read along with the printed text while listening to the narration—without the need for headphones, CDs or large batteries. This all-in-one format offers an accessible, engaging, and screen-free reading experience.
Carver County Library would like to purchase VOX Books for all six of its branches and actively promote them to area schools and homeschooling families. VOX Books are already in high demand at other metro-area libraries, where they offer a low-maintenance alternative to traditional audio formats like books on CD. These books provide a powerful early literacy tool that fosters reading comprehension and listening skills in young readers.
More information about VOX Books is available at libraryideas.com/vox-books. The VOX collection was funded by the Charles Dahlke grant and should be in libraries by June 8.
The Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, known as the READ Act, was passed and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in 2023. The goal of this legislation was to have every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year beginning in kindergarten and to support multilingual learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals.
Because of the READ Act, kindergarten to third grade teachers are changing the way they teach children to read. There is more emphasis on decodable readers, phonics and lettered levels. Decodable books are specially designed reading materials that help early readers practice specific phonics skills in a structured, confidence-building way.
To meet this need, the library purchased a starter collection of decodable readers in 2025 and added more books – in particular, nonfiction – in 2026. The decodable collection is funded by the Library Foundation of Carver County (https://www.carverlib.org/about-us/library-foundation).
