BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Libraries all over the United States are reminding their communities that they are important and exciting. This year’s theme is “Libraries Rock,” and Brookville’s Rebecca M. Arthurs Memorial Library has specific plans to connect to that theme.
“It’s a national sort of program that the comes up with a theme,” explained Library Director Janine Strohm. “We tailor our children’s programs to the theme, and then we have events throughout the summer that are related to it.”
Strohm and the library’s Amanda Mignogna took the “Libraries Rock” theme to mean both actual rocks and also music.
“It’s like ‘Story Time,’” Strohm explained. “You read stories, then you have an activity, do a craft, things of that nature. The extra part is the quest. We have quest sheets that we give out, and they have activities that kids can do throughout the summer.”
These activities include doing a random act of kindness, visiting a park, singing a song, and more. They also get specific prizes for the number of hours they read during the summer.
“It’s basically to continue reading and exploring how much libraries rock,” Strohm said. “People get little prizes and such for that. We have special programs, for instance, a field trip to the scripture rocks. We have special guest speakers, like Quiet Creek talking about soil. The ending party will have karaoke talent show. We hope to involve the kids all summer long.”
The goal of Libraries Rock is for kids to read all summer long. While they read and participate in events, perhaps they will find subjects that interest them and inspire them to keep learning.
“The response has been pretty good,” Strohm said. “We have 10 or 15 kids at each program. Summer reading programs have been around for a long time. We find that those programs work. We see a lot of kids go to school during the year and come back during the summer. They really enjoy coming to the library. It’s been interesting to see them grow.”
Each library designs its own program to go with the overall theme, and Brookville has a unique rock element: Scripture Rocks. This inspired Mignogna to come up with a field trip and a project.
“It’s free, like the library is, and families can go there,” she said. “A tour guide will give us a tour. Plus, it’s part of our hometown, which is really neat. We’ll also be doing our own rocks. We’ll paint little rocks and do quotes on them and then leave them all over town for other people to find and pass around the community. They will be sharing uplifting thoughts.”
Mignogna also intends to hold activities that connect emotions to music as well as some explorations as to how sound and music are created.
On August 13, the library will connect with CREATE Brookville and host an ending party to celebrate the program and the close of summer.
Strohm pointed out that all libraries in the area will be hosting summer programs, and there is no reason not to take part.
“You can come to the library, it’s free, air-conditioned, and learn something while having fun,” she said.
More about the Libraries Rock program can be found at Rebecca M. Arthurs Memorial Library’s website at www.rmalib.org or by visiting your local library.
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