 Well, kids who headed down to the library this summer not only had a
great time but learned a lot too.
As this year's summer program, "Reading Is So Delicious!" comes
to a close, it is being deemed a huge success.
Youth services director Louella Moreland has been designing
programs to bring children into the Lincoln Public Library for 10
years.
This summer librarians tracked 504 registered participants ages 6
months through teens. They were divided by age groups, with 73
participants who were 4 years and younger, 28 teens, and in between
those two groups were more than 400 school-aged children reading and
participating in programs.
One of the programs was a reading competition for the students in
10 participating schools. It was up to each school's staff to set
goals and make lists of books for the children to come in and read.
Last week was the exciting close to that competition. Students of
seven schools met their school's goal, with many exceeding the
goals. The winning schools will receive a trophy for their library.
There were a number of other activities throughout the summer,
including games, activities, crafts and a couple of different
storytelling times each week.
Thursday mornings were special, offering family entertainment by
guest performers. Programs included magic, musical, marionette and
balloon artist performances. Kids loved a live presentation on
cold-blooded creatures of the most interesting and slithering kinds,
and the season concluded last week with an engaging visit from
Ronald McDonald.
It could get kind of hectic when different programs were going on
that were close in proximity and time, Moreland said.
Moreland appreciated the collaboration with Libby Canady from the
YMCA and Julie Hinds Jackson from Kid's Club. They brought in a lot
of kids and gave the them reading opportunities that would have been
difficult with working parents. This was the Kid's Club's 10th year
in the program.
There were two smaller day care groups that the librarians were
happy to see come in as well, she said.
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The larger groups scheduled their attendance. This allowed better
coordination with reading programs and the ability to schedule
enough librarian help for kids to find the books they wished to
check out, Moreland said.
Beginning July 30 after 9:30 a.m., students can come in and get
the really cool T-shirts they earned through the reading program.
There is still a Scholastic Book Fair to look forward to on Aug.
9 and 10. Forms are now available at the youth services desk.
Moreland is already thinking about next year's programs, and
she's letting the cat out of the bag with the announcement of the
new theme: "Have Book, Will Travel."
Asked if there was anything she would like the community to know
about this summer's program, Moreland replied: "We're just happy to
be able to provide it for the community. And, we really enjoy it."
[LDN]
Louella Moreland, youth services
librarian, has a
blog
that can be accessed through the library
website. She
lists the new children's and young adult books at the library and
introduces library programs. Tell her your ideas and suggestions.
You can also view videos and pictures of library programs.
The Lincoln Public Library is located
at 725 Pekin St., with adult nonfiction and reference materials in
the historic Carnegie Building. The Annex directly behind houses
adult fiction and the Youth Services Department.
Online, visit
www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org.
Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Phone 217-732-8878 for adult services
and 217-732-5732 for youth services.
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