Summerdale Public Library praised for Summer Reading Program

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 8/26/19

SUMMERDALE - The Summerdale Public Library recently received two letters of praise concerning their recent Summer Reading Program that took place through June. The letters, written by the grandmother …

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Summerdale Public Library praised for Summer Reading Program

August at the Summerdale Public Library included a Children’s Art Show displayed within the children’s section. This is just one example of projects done at the library to boost the children’s creativity and expand their knowledge.
August at the Summerdale Public Library included a Children’s Art Show displayed within the children’s section. This is just one example of projects done at the library to boost the children’s creativity and expand their knowledge.
Photo by Jessica Vaughn
Posted

SUMMERDALE - The Summerdale Public Library recently received two letters of praise concerning their recent Summer Reading Program that took place through June. The letters, written by the grandmother of a child who attended the program as well as other programs hosted at the library throughout the year, commended the library staff for their commitment and dedication.

As was written in the letters: “I would like to express my appreciation to the ladies of the Summerdale Library for the wonderful Summer Reading Program. The presenters were exceptional and related to all of the children with their animals and entertainment. A major part of the program was a reading incentive to keep children reading books throughout the summer. My eight-year-old grandson read over 60 books and is still reading; I credit the program for helping to motivate him.”

Library Director Cindy Suggs says it’s important to keep children reading throughout the summer, or else a lapse in reading skill might occur. The Summerdale Public Library works with children to encourage not only their reading abilities, but to cultivate their interest in books.

“We love to have feedback from our patrons, it keeps us going in the right direction,” Suggs said. “It’s a proven fact that children who read during summer vacation have much less, if any, summer slide where they lose some of their current reading abilities, and a lot of children even improve their reading level over the summer so they’re prepared when school starts back.”

Suggs states it’s through the help of her staff, Sandy Evans, Sylvia Lamberth and Lillie Rowland that the Summer Reading Program and the library’s regular operations are so successful. During the program, a total of 172 kids attended and 103 attended reading time with library volunteers. Evans, the children’s librarian, comes up with the projects and says she has many more activities already planned for the rest of 2019.

“Education is power, and libraries offer free education and opportunities for children,” said Evans. “You’ve got to encourage children’s gifts, gifs they may not even know that they have yet.”

Every Thursday from 3 - 5 p.m. the library hosts After School Programs for children, and Evans has been hard at work planning the next few months. She’s implemented a STEM program during the weekly activities, and encourages a mixture of art and science to expose children to a diversity of subjects. During the month of August a Children’s Art Show was on display in the children’s section, featuring work from the library’s youngest patrons.

“Kids love to come in and see their artwork and read the little displays about themselves,” said Evans. “It helps them build confidence when they see that acknowledgement of their work and the encouragement.”

To date, the children have created galaxy jars, cotton ball clouds, created “wiggle bots”, learned how magnets work, and much more. Coming up, September will see the kids become Citizen Scientists and learn about the Water Watch Program, the use of microscopes, the importance of upcycling and recycling, and will feature books on environmental friendliness. October will center around language, teaching the kids the importance of communication and featuring lessons in Spanish, Chinese, and Sign Language. Further into fall will include pumpkin designing and a Halloween Party. November will see the kids participating in community projects with a food drive at the library, the creation of a gratitude wall, and Thanksgiving crafts and dinner party.

“We’re very fortunate to have Sandy as our children’s librarian,” said Suggs. “She brings a wealth of information with her and the children have a great relationship with her. She does a lot of really cool projects during the children’s programming and more and more children attend each week.”

Evans says she hopes to make a lasting impact on the lives of the children who attend the library programs, and works to bring them the things they want and need. Recently, she heard some children who were concerned for their safety and wanted ways to feel more secure. Thus a program was created featuring a lesson on cyber security from an FBI agent, visits from the Summerdale Police Department and Summerdale Fire Department on personal and fire safety, and a karate teacher who showed the kids tips for personal safety and how to avoid or escape threatening situations. Evans says the six-week program was a huge success with the children, and invites parents and kids to let the library know the things they want to see more of.

“I was very happy to see the patron letter, because like anything you need to have feedback,” Evans said. “You need to find out what needs improvement, what is appreciated, and what people like and don’t like. That’s how we can gauge what’s working and what’s not.”

To learn more about the Summerdale Public Library and everything it offers, check out their website at www.summerdalelibrary.com or give them a call at 251-989-2011.