Visit to the Library

We are now three months into our six month Jump Start Reading at Home program. Our teachers, children and families have been introduced to Vocabulary; knowing the names of things, Print Motivation; being interested in and enjoying books, and Print Awareness; noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page. In addition, all programs participants received fifteen books to begin their at-home library. (The 2001 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study states that students from homes with more than ten children's books had significantly higher average reading scores than scores of students from homes with ten or fewer books.)

To continue to expose families and teachers to reading, books and literacy, all program participants will tour their neighborhood library. This is a very important element of the program. By taking our families and teachers to the library, we are given them tools and resources to be self-sufficient and empowered to continue to support their child's early literacy education.

To make this experience possible, we have to identify and remove barriers that will allow all families to participate in the library visit and tour. During a recent visits to Plaza Midwood library, the transportation barrier was removed by purchasing bus passes for all program participants. Over fifty people took the bus to the library. The pictures below illustrate the Bilingual Specialist, Veronica Corral organizing the group to board the bus as well as the library visit and tour. Follow the link below to view all the photos of this library experience.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libraryinaction/sets/72157624725999301/

Jump Start Reading at Home Print Motivation

When the county car pulls into the parking lot of the Park Apartment Clubhouse, parents and children know it is time for Miss Veronica and the library program. Twenty-three children and their mothers gathered in the activity room to hear stories and participate in music and reading activities that encouraged interest and enjoyment of books. The building block for this session was “Print Motivation.” According to the American Library Association, Every Child Ready to Read program, “Children who enjoy being read to will want to learn how to read.” It is a challenge to measure enjoyment but the clapping, smiles, laughter and program participation lets Miss Veronica know that her audience enjoyed the stories.

During this session, families enjoyed the stories; The Squeaky Door by Margaret Read McDonald, Whose Nose? by Jeannette Rowe and Jump Frog Jump by Robert Kalan. Parents also received information on Spanish language computer classes offered at our Hickory Grove location. As the program ended, parents and children helped Miss Veronica carry her material to the car and they prepared for their next session, which will include a visit to their neighborhood library.

Lifelong Learning

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library supports lifelong learning for learners of all ages. These experiences take place within the library walls as well as in the community. Dot Siler, the newest member of the Community Engagement Outreach Team, but not new to the library system, has over twenty years of experience bringing library services to the community. A significant amount of this time has been dedicated to bringing library services and resources to older adults. Dot’s patrons rave about her programs. The secret to Dot’s success is knowing her audience, asking them what they need and want and engaging them in the creating the programs.

Dot’s program repertoire is nothing less than phenomenal. Older adults have learned how to use laptops to gain information about Medicare as well as learn how to keep up with grandchildren through e-mail. Her seniors learned about growing their own herbs and participated in numerous memory programs that support healthy aging. In July, older adults from the PALS adult day care and the Beatte Rae Thomas Park and Recreation Center senior program celebrated Beatrix Potter (July 28, 1866) and Ernest Hemingway’s (July 21, 1899) birthdays. Patrons listened to stories from the authors and they created a celebration art piece honoring the author’s contribution to literacy.

This month, seniors are looking forward to Dot Siler’s author program. She has arranged for Michelle Bowman, author of Church Folk and More Church Folk to visit five library and four community locations. Miss Bowman’s library location schedule is below. Come to one of our locations and meet the author Michele Bowman and the staff member that put it all together, Dot Siler!



• Freedom Regional Library-Monday, August 16-Time 1:00pm
• Independence Regional Library-Monday , August 16-Time 6:30pm
• Main Library-Tuesday, August 17-Time: 12:30pm
• Hickory Grove Library-Tuesday-August 17-Time: 5:30pm
• University City Regional Library-August 18-Time 12:00pm