Kids at your Library:
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Brand New Volunteers
Libraries are also playing a growing role in nurturing kids' community involvement. In some parts of the state, libraries are encouraging young people to volunteer as Junior Friends of the Library. Programs generally include a reading discussion group followed by volunteer work for their local library. The number and broad mix of children involved excites librarians. It's no longer just bookworms and "library weenies." Muskogee has a new Book Buddies program to teach teenagers how to read to younger children. Teenagers will attend a seminar for certification, where they will learn the skills and tools needed to handle younger children—everything from patience and positive reinforcement to sounding out words. Once the program is running, the older students will be reading more, while earning service hour credit for their schools. The younger children might just get a role model.
Hennessey's Very Special Volunteer
Hispanic children had been coming to storytime at the public
library and enjoying the activities, but they could not understand the stories—that
is until twelve-year old Valeria Zubia volunteered to help. With
assistance from her adult sponsor Carolina Orozco, Valeria organized and
promoted a summer story hour for Hispanic kids. For eight weeks, Valeria
and Carolina read to the children, led them in crafts, and supervised planned
activities for as many as eighteen boys and girls.
From the Cradle On
When it comes to the youngest children, evidence now suggests that full brain development requires being talked to, read to, and exposed to books—and to adults who read. With this in mind, a number of libraries have begun reading programs for pre-school children and their caregivers. Leslie Langley, Poteau's Youth Services librarian leads a lap-sit program for children, newborn to three years old. As many as 15 pairs of children and parents meet weekly to participate in finger play, rhymes, and reading. The five-year old program has eager new participants as well as parents returning with each new child in their family. Ms. Langley recounts the response of one young participant who saw her outside the library: "The book lady! Reading reading!"
For older kids, story hours and storytime continue to play a big role
at most libraries across Oklahoma. Participants in these reading programs
range from pre-school aged children (four and five-year olds) to the adults
who attended Henryetta's Not For Children Only program. Most
of these programs go beyond reading and discussion to include activities;
for example, children at the Duncan Public Library learned to make their
own bookmarks. Storytime often incorporates speakers on books or related
themes. Librarians have used story programs for outreach too, as
they take reading to daycare centers, as well as inviting their visits to
the library.
Budding Writers by the Hundreds
In addition to reading, libraries are encouraging children to write. The Public Library for Enid and Garfield County shepherds a regular poetry group of children in grades six through nine. Starting out shy and reluctant, the young poets change after they have met a few times, and enjoy the support and respect of their peers. Tulsa libraries have an annual Young People's Writing Contest for kids, ages ten to eighteen, writing poetry, informal essays, short stories, and one-act plays. More than 400 youths entered this year.
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