St. Marys Community Public Library Will Again Host Two Popular Programs
Preschool Story Time Program and Adult Book Discussion Program Coming in March
The St. Marys Community Public Library is preparing to host preschoolers as well as those who would like to take part in book discussions over the coming months.
The Library's Preschool Story Time will begin again on Wednesday, Mar. 15. The program runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and focuses on children from ages three to five, but any child is welcome to attend. “Any child can come in, but its geared toward preschoolers,” said Martha Scheer, a youth services assistant at the library. Scheer said that parents, grandparents, and caregivers regularly attend, and that they experience more than just story time while there. “They have community time together with each other, both the adults and the children. They get to know each other,” said Scheer. Scheer also noted that as few as a handful of children may show up, or a larger group. The library has had as many as 24 children at one time attend story time.
Youth Services Assistant Vickie Echternacht said that the library chooses the theme for the readings, and that it can be a mix of both old and new books. “I’m always requesting new picture books so that I can review them and see if I want to use them. We often have new books, but not always,” said Echternacht. The themes are quite varied as well. “Counting, colors, animal sounds, friendship, food, bears, cats, we really do whatever we’re inspired to do.
One of the most important things is fun with words, enjoyment, and reading,” added Echternacht.
During the course of the reading, children might engage in finger play, songs, or interact with the reader. “They also learn to listen. A lot of them have never experienced something like this before,” said Echternacht. “We don’t expect complete quiet... they’re preschoolers.”
Echternacht also said that one of the highlights of story time is that they recognize each child in a special way, “We do a name song, and really for that purpose, we sing their name. They like getting recognized like that, and it also helps us learn their names.”
“I love doing it, I love to see the children grow,” added Echternacht. She noted that some children don’t want to participate, and that she doesn’t force them to. “Its wonderful to see them learn to respond, and to feel comfortable.”
The library will also be holding its monthly book discussion on Thursday, March 9 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The book discussion will feature the book Dear George, Dear Mary, by Mary Calvi. The book explores a relationship between George Washington, the future president, and his first love, Mary Eliza Philipse. “We have one book discussion every month,” said the library’s director Morgan Paul. Paul said that they don’t choose brand new books to discuss because the library has to have enough copies available for people who want to participate. “We pull large print, regular print, audiobooks, and Playaways,” said Paul. “It's a group discussion and everyone is supposed to chime in.” Paul also noted that participants are supposed to research the author, the story, and the setting of the story. When asked what participants gain from the discussions, Paul noted, “They learn new aspects of the book that they might not have thought of when they read it, or they talk about why they didn’t finish the book, if they liked it or didn’t like it.” Paul also noted that they discuss other books people might enjoy by the same author, or other books participants have read in the past themselves.
Paul said that the program has been going on at the library for decades, and that there is no cost.
“There is no cost, libraries provide the books, and we don’t charge for our programs,” said Paul. The only costs they may have to ever charge is if they’re working with an outside provider who has some kind of ‘kit’ that is required to take part in their presentation. “Libraries are free, because they’re funded by your tax dollars.”