New youth services director at library

Megan Gillander is adding new programs for city youths, as well as continuing old favorites.

ONEIDA>> Oneida Public Library’s new Youth Services Coordinator, Megan Gillander, invites preschoolers and their parents and guardians to a Halloween Costume Party with stories, games, candy and more in the library’s Children’s Room on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to come in Halloween costumes.

As Gillander takes the reins of OPL’s children’s programming, she is introducing a new evening program on Wednesdays from 6:307:30 p.m., starting Oct. 26, for children aged 2 years old up to second-graders and their parents or guardians. The evening family story hour will mix stories, games and fun activities to engage the children’s imaginations and stimulate their language skills, according to Gillander.

Because of the Wednesday evening story hour, the library is cancelling the Wednesday morning edition of the preschool program called Ready To Read, beginning Oct. 26. Gillander, however, will preside over the regular preschool programs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Gillander, a native of Rochester, moved to Oneida with her family three years ago from Alder Creek when her husband Peter was hired as a technology teacher at Oneida High School. They have two young children, who attend elementary school in Oneida.

Gillander brings to the job of youth services coordinator both a love of teaching and a desire to involve children and their families in community activities that stimulate learning in both science and language. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor in geology at Utica College, where she earned her bachelor of arts in geology several years ago. She is also the Youth Leader at the First United Methodist Church in Oneida, where she works with young people ranging from sixth-graders to high-school seniors.

Gillander said she expects that the OPL will offer her scope for all her professional interests because of its “open environment” in which children can learn while

enjoying themselves.

“I look forward to engaging with the families in our community,” she said. “I hope to grow the youth program at the library by offering educational, relevant and fun activities.”

Gil lander already is making plans for a “Family Super Saturday” at the library on the second Saturday of every month, beginning Nov. 12. In an hour-long program for children aged 2 years old up to young elementary- school students and their parents or guardians, Gillander will connect stories to games to activities with special themes introduced by special expert guests from the community.

For more information about children’s programming, contact Gil lander at Oneida Library, 220 Broad St., or call (315) 3633050.

Gillander