Back To School

By Jerry Jones, Youth Services Librarian

August 24 , 2005

It seems like just a few weeks ago we were writing about Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds and how important it is for children to continue reading through the summer months. The summer reading program is now officially over, and we are happy to report that 2,212 children and 610 teens participated this year. Now, as parents are perusing the stores and purchasing all of those necessary supplies, we are also getting ready for the upcoming school year.

At the top of our list of things to do is the resumption of Sunday hours. Starting September 11, your library will once again be open Sunday afternoons from 1 to 5 pm. Whether it’s reading, writing, or arithmetic, students will find the NCPL staff ready and willing to assist them in their research. Do you need to access the Internet or a computer to type up that final report? NCPL has computers in the Technology Center, Teen Zone and Children’s Department that can be used to produce the finished project.

Activities and programs at the library continue throughout the school year. Storytime for 3 – 5 year olds will be offered as usual on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30. Tuesdays will take on a new twist, however. Storytime for this age group will be offered at the newly remodeled Bob Goff Memorial Branch Library in Mills, and the main library will be offering Lap Sit Storytime for infants through 18 months old and Toddler Time for the 18-36 month-old age group on alternating weeks. Space is limited, so please sign up in advance.

Our schedule is also filling up with programs for elementary-aged students and teens. An after-school computer class will be offered September 21 to give third, fourth and fifth graders a jumpstart on how NCPL’s web site can help them through the school year. Due to its popularity, the Saturday Afternoon Book Club for sixth, seventh and eight graders will meet for a Wednesday afternoon discussion, as well. The first discussion groups will be reading “No More Dead Dogs,” by Gordon Korman, and take place September 14 and 17. School’s out movies, a candle-making workshop for teens, and a Teen Poetry Slam are a few more programs to watch for in the near future.

And parents, don’t be surprised to hear the students in your family say someone from the library visited their classroom or school. We look forward to the opportunities we have to partner with the Natrona County School District as we provide Reading First support, booktalks, storytelling and literacy-based programs while teachers are taking part in professional development. We also encourage teachers to bring their classes to the library. We’ll be happy to tailor visits to specific classroom needs.

Whether it’s summer time or school time, there is a lot going on at NCPL. While you are trying to remember everything to get ready for the start of school; remember, we are also here to help make this a successful year for your students.

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