Tuesday, Jan. 08, 2013

New library reading initiative to complement school

Jackson Pollock-esque paint splatters, crafty penguins and ninja lessons are coming soon to your local library. They’re all part of the county’s efforts to get kids reading and thinking creatively outside school.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will read, create, explore and discover through a new initiative called “Every Reader Ready to Succeed.” The curriculum will be aligned around the county, and a steady stream of events will be offered at most of the county’s libraries.

Dale Cousins, manager of Cameron Village Library, said the program will complement what’s being taught in schools and will help kids learn through reading as well as hands-on activities.

“We’re not formally educating anyone,” Cousins said. “But we want to reinforce what they’re learning while they’re in school. ... It’s a great opportunity, so we hope people bring their kids and take advantage.”

Regional libraries will offer two programs every week, and a different community group will get involved once a month to help teach kids. That could mean anything from a local theater group to therapy dogs for children to read to and play with.

One or two book discussions will be held weekly so kids can read along with a group leader. Large community libraries will have the same schedule without book discussions. Small community libraries will have one weekly program.

Benjie Hester is the director of youth services at the Cameron Village Regional Library. She is part of a group that developed the program during the past several months.

“We really had a blank slate, so it’s been exciting,” she said. “We’ve never done anything like this before.”