Keeber's Kolumn

Library News by Pamela Comello, Youth Services Librarian, for David W. Keeber
Red Rock News
Date: August 1, 2008

It is hard to believe the month of August is here, and school will start for most children in the area in the next days and weeks. Another Summer Reading Program is about to end. Friday, August 8 is the last day to report reading and for pick up prizes from either the VOC Service Center or Sedona Public Library As I review the accomplishments of the summer, I am again amazed at the difference books and libraries can make in children's lives. Over 30 programs were offered this summer of which pre-schoolers, school-age children, and teens could learn new information and develop skills using writing and art exercises to create glitter tattoos or have their handwriting analyzed, handling live or dead insects, moving and listening to musical performers and cooking to name a few. Programs held at the Library this summer gave children the opportunity to not only be enriched and inspired by professionals but to be exposed to new ideas and information not only through the performers and artists conducting these program but also the books that were displayed about the various subjects related to each program.

The number of participants in the 2008 Summer Reading program this year was 204 compared to 270 participants last year! This is a 34% decrease in participants compared to last year! Despite the fact that the library offers this program opportunity free as are the majority of the workshops and programs we offer weekly, the library does compete with many opportunities and other programs the area offers for kids. From the Humane Society summer camp to the College for Kids classes at Yavapai College, there seem to be more choices and options for kids to learn and gain information from each summer. This summer was particularly challenging because of the Hwy 179 road construction. To make it easier for families in the Village of Oak Creek, summer reading participants were able to register, report their activities and reading and even pick up prizes at the Village Service Center on Cortez Drive.

The participants included 18 pre-schoolers, 14 home-schooled youth, 10 students from Desert Star School, 17 students from Sedona Charter School, 50 students from West Sedona School, and 71 students from Big Park School. There were even 23 participants who live part-time in Sedona and were in town for the summer months or were visiting from out of state who chose to participate. Participants included siblings who registered to read to their siblings and parents who planned to read to and with their children this summer. Registered participants chose a reader or a pre-reader log book to keep track of reading they did or a parent/caregiver did with them. Readers had some 50 activities in their reading log to choose to do. Readers were actively reading and doing reading related activities like and writing descriptive paragraphs, or composing poetry or stories whether it is at home or on vacation, to each other or by themselves. “Read-to-me” readers enjoyed listening to books on tape or having stories in magazines or books read to them by a parent or older sibling. Prizes are earned upon completion of activities or minutes read and reported to staff at the Library.

Over the years, some have questioned the need for children's programming. They have asked “Why is it so important for a library to offer a summer reading program and events for kids in the summer?” They have employed the thought that children should automatically visit the library, check out books and read during the summer for enjoyment. Are we wasting our time and money and efforts to attempt to "spoon feed" kids into doing an activity that they should naturally want to do? And is it the Library's "job" to hold activities for children, much like what they would receive at summer camp or pay to see for entertainment?

A survey of questions in English and Spanish developed by a representative group of Children’s librarians across the State of Arizona are being asked to a percentage of six to twelve-year-old participants at our Library again this year to determine if children enjoy reading and have a good time at libraries. From those surveyed last year, participation in the Summer Reading Program changed 34% of surveyed participants’ feelings about reading from thinking “reading is OK” to “I love reading”! This survey supports why we offer this type of program each year and shows how reading can change feelings and behavior and can contribute to lifelong learning.

I love seeing the enthusiasm kids showed when they came to the Library to report their reading progress. It is so much fun to hear the creative songs, read the stories and see the wonderful bugs made out of recycled materials, 50^th anniversary bookmarks, and book covers children created. It is thrilling to hear kids express their feelings about what excites them about reading. Some comments kids share tell how reading cures boredom and makes them feel better and happier, helps them with spelling, makes them feel good, helps them read faster, and helps them get smarter.

Many people have involved in the execution of the summer program this year. Thanks to all the staff; especially my assistant Mrs. Lusher and my summer assistant Ms. Wilkinson and all my teen volunteers who took phone calls, registered kids, and helped patrons find what they were looking for. Finally, I want to extend a big thank you to all the parents and grandparents who assisted children’s participation in this program, despite road construction and travel delays.