Library Update June 3

It has been some time since COVID-19 has made such an impact on our communities and yet, we continue to feel its uncertainty in our daily lives. While this spring has been one for the books, we know that this time of uncertainty raises many questions about the logistics of running a summer reading program. There are so many moving parts that it seems that our time to readjust is moving quickly. Therefore the Carrollton Public Library and the Norborne Public Library are continuing our efforts to bring a Summer Reading Program Collaboration to show our communities that we are there for them while being mindful of our patrons’ safety and well-being.    

Beginning this week, the experienced Summer Reading Program staff of Kristen Thompson and Cheri Crose will have virtual story times on the libraries’ Facebook pages in the mornings for toddler and preschoolers and in the afternoon for elementary aged students.  These virtual story times will be aired weekly Monday through Friday until August 7th.  IF there is a possibility of the libraries opening to have in-house programs later this summer, we will move to make this change about as soon as possible. The Summer Reading Collaboration will provide the opportunity for children and their families to engage in active skill building and critical thinking, use their imaginations to dream about the future, and keep their minds active while they are away from the classroom. 

New this summer is the Reading Challenge Grant Award supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. The Reading Challenge software is READsquared because of its user-friendly and engaging interface to connect with library patrons of all ages.  The Carrollton Public Library plans to implement the software for our 2020 Summer Reading Program to track reading and individual or family engagement while gathering statistics for the collaboration with the Norborne Public Library.  Parents and caregivers can set up a free account at www.carrollton.readsquared.com to track their child’s progress and earn virtual badges, prizes and incentives for reaching their reading goals.  The libraries understand that not everyone has an internet connection so the library staff will offer paper forms to participants and their families so they can be included in the reading challenges.

Another new feature of the Summer Reading Collaboration is the weekly craft bags the libraries are distributed to their registered participations.  Registrations are available online at the libraries’ websites, www.carrolltonlibrary.com or www.cityofnorborne.org/city-hall or by calling the Carrollton Public Library, 660-542-0183 or call the Norborne Public Library, 660-593-3514.  The first craft bag will have the supplies needed over the summer to make crafts that interact with the virtual story times the libraries host.  Supplies such as markers, crayons, scissors, construction paper, paint sets, glue sticks, will be used throughout the summer as one more way where the libraries can interact with our young readers.  Each week, new crafts will be handed out to coincide with the theme of “Imagine Your Story” to sustain our young readers during the Harvester’s “Grab and Go” snacks serving window or delivered to area in-home daycares. 

This leads into the Carrollton Public Library will again host Harvester’s Food Network snacks during this summer.  Snack bags are available for any child up to age 18 on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons as the serving window has been lengthened from 2 – 4 pm.  Harvester’s “Grab and Go” snacks will be served outside the lower level conference room by the library’s entrance from the parking lot off Monroe Street.

The library established the summer meal program in 2014 to meet the community needs because hungry kids don’t read. The Summer Reading Collaboration is a fun way to include reading and related activities in summer family time. It helps children maintain and improve reading skills. Studies have shown that reading during the summer and engaging in creative exploration help decrease the “summer slide” that occurs when students are out of school. This year more than ever, keeping kids engaged and learning is important and participating is also fun! As we begin with virtual, our hope is to have some in person activities later this summer. The 2020 Summer Reading Collaboration is open to young people, preschool through young adult, with programs, prizes, story times, reading logs and friendly competition. Families are invited to join the Read-to-Me portion of the program or encourage independent readers to reach their reading goals over the summer. The Norborne Public Library does have an adult element to encourage reading over the summer.  All programs and events are free of charge and open to the public to attend. We welcome all ages and of all abilities. All of this isn’t possible with the support of our communities and the Summer Reading Collaboration project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Sue Lightfoot, Library Director                                                Pam Penrod, Library Director

Carrollton Public Library                                                          Norborne Public Library

660-542-0183                                                                          660-593-3514

director@carrolltonlibrary.com                                                ppenrod@cityofnorborne.org

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