Sun Nov 08 2009
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
-- Dr. Seuss
By LISA NICELY
Oh! the places you'll go with books. Dr. Seuss and countless other authors have introduced generations to the wonders of books. As those children grow into young adults, the love of reading grows with them.
That's why National Children's Book Week on Nov. 12-18 and National Young Reader's Day on Saturday are celebrated.
Several area libraries are sponsoring special programs, while others are hosting their usual events this week. It doesn't really matter to some children as long as there are books to read.
"I like all kinds of books," said Sziyah Feily, 9, of Defiance as he looks over shelves of books at Defiance Public Library. "They're cool. I like books about animals. I like bug ones, too."
London Moening, 7, of Defiance, is currently reading Berenstain Bear's Gotta' Dance.
It's not her favorite book though. That's Kit Learns a Lesson from the American Girl series.
Moening said she likes reading because it's fun. She also said the more she reads the better she gets at reading.
Reading books to children at a young age helps them grow into young readers.
In Hicksville, Abby Welly, 4, of Hicksville goes to the library about two times a week with her parents. They've been taking her to the library since she was 2.
"She's always excited to go," said Abby's mom, Deb Welly. "They have a kid's program. There's crafts and they read a story. It's a good way to introduce her to books."
Laura Woodcox, manager of the Antwerp branch of the Paulding County Carnegie Library, said that she sees many children who were involved in preschool programs come back as they grow older.
"You'd be surprised how many older kids started in the preschool storytime program," she said. "When children are exposed to the library at a young age they are readers their whole lives."
Woodcox said children come into the library all the time to get books, read magazines and take part in programs.
"Our circulation is really high," she said. "After school is out we have a bus pickup and dropoff site in our parking lot. Students and their parents come in all the time."
While Antwerp isn't planning any special programs during National Children's Book Week, the library still will hold its normal programs. These include the Baby-N-Me Lap Sit and movie night on Tuesday and preschool story time on Thursday.
Defiance Public Library and its branches is holding several activities to recognize the week and National Young Reader's Day.
Sherwood Branch Library will feature a special craft all week for children. In Hicksville, there will be a special storytime on Wednesday and Thursday from 10-11 a.m. On Friday, a movie will be shown at 4 p.m.
At Defiance's main library, storytimes are set for Monday and Tuesday; Read, Rhyme, Romp on Thursday; and Family Activity Day on Saturday.
Marilyn Hite, director of Defiance Public Library, said National Children's Book Week and National Young Reader's Day highlight a mission of the library -- "to encourage reading and new readers."
Reading is vital to today's society, she said. "It's a skill we need to help kids develop so they will be successful in school and the rest of their lives," she said.
"We want to encourage them to read for learning and entertainment as an activity to enrich their lives," she added.
Hite and other librarians say they work to make reading fun for children.
"The children's programming is one of the strengths of our library," said Joyce Klingelsmith, director at Archbold Community Library.
She said the six story hours and two sessions for toddlers fill up fast. Each session has 15-16 children.
"They are excited (about the programs)," she noted. "They hate to miss one."
Klingelsmith said that it is very important to read to young children, especially infants and toddlers.
"It helps increase the children's vocabulary and develops closeness," she explained.
"It also helps develop creativity. It prepares them to enjoy reading on their own."
At the Williams County Public Library, storytime is held five times a week. There is also a breakfast club and Afterschool Adventurers group in which young readers participate.
"We work very hard to make it exciting as does every library," said Vickie Zippay, children's services director at Williams County Public Library in Bryan. She said it's great to see children come in year after year and grow up with the library and its books.
"It's very satisfying we know we filled a need and instilled a love of reading," she said.
Mary Hogan, children's librarian at Napoleon Public Library, also said it's great to see young children come into the library and get books to read.
"The accelerated reader program that schools have is really an incentive for the kids to read," she said. "The kids really enjoy that. They come in and take out four, five or six books. It's fun to help pick them out."
She said a lot of readers are really excited to see all the books the library has to offer.
"The younger ones especially (are excited)," Hogan said. "Some of them are just starting to read or are beginner readers. They can't wait to see all the books. It gives you a renewed sense of purpose to see how enthusiastic they are."
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