Revamping Summer Reading
Before 2018, Fort Walton Beach Public Library’s summer reading program included lots of crafts, activities and personal attention for participants. Running it effectively required at least two staff members every week.
But heading into summer 2018, a staff shortage and unexpected personnel change meant that the Library Rocks! reading program would rely solely on youth librarian Nancy Cardinal. In order to make it work, Nancy needed to do things differently.
So she recruited community partners, parents and other volunteers. She also structured Library Rocks! to combine library events with at-home activities.
A June kickoff event provided families with an orientation to the Library Rocks! program. Kids who registered as participants earned raffle tickets for attending events and completing home assignments.
Most of the library events were also open to nonparticipants, including area visitors.
At-home activities
Participants who registered at the kickoff received a packet of Library Rocks! themed activities to take home.
Kids completed whichever activities they wanted to, earning between 5 and 25 raffle tickets for each one, depending on the level of difficulty.
Activity sheets included word finds, coloring sheets and crafts. Kids also kept reading logs.
Other home activities focused on fun challenges, such as:
- Try a new food and report on it.
- Cook a dish using one food from a movie.
- Plant a seed and watch it grow.
Library events
Local community partners and businesses presented classes and workshops at the library.
In order to encourage participation and visits to partner libraries, kids earned 20 raffle tickets for attending a class or workshop at any branch in the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative.
Among the offerings:
- Cooking classes
The 4-H Club led a series of five cooking classes.
- From Shelves to the Shores
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance taught kids about the Choctawhatchee Bay in six hands-on classes.
- Florida archaeology
The Florida Archaeology Network introduced kids to archaeology and let them handle fossils.
- Bugs Rock!
The Florida Department of Agriculture brought insects to teach kids about bugs, up close and personal.
- Music Rocks!
Playground Music and Parent to Parent played music for attendees and provided musical instruments for them to try.
- Bees are Everywhere!
A local beekeeper taught kids about honey bees and why they’re important.
- LimeLight Art Studio
At this off-site art class, kids used unusual materials to create their own artworks.
- Animal tales
A professional, live presentation featured exotic animals.
- Reading buddies
Teens teamed up with young readers to enjoy reading and other fun activities for six sessions.
- Rock painting
A local artist demonstrated the art of rock painting and helped kids paint their own rocks.
The program culminated in a party to celebrate achievements and hold the final raffle. Each participant received a gift bag for participation.
Results
Parents loved the changes that Nancy Cardinal made to the Libraries Rock! summer program. They especially liked:
- The variety of classes and events offered.
- The freedom of choice kids had.
- The flexibility to go on vacation without worrying about their kids missing a class.
Cardinal writes, “The Libraries Rock! summer reading of 2018 was a huge success.”
