Summer library goal is to get more children reading books

By Brian Hassler
Staff Writer

SHIPROCK — Anralene Scott has 300 children but would like to push that number closer to 1,000.

Scott, the branch manager of the Shiprock Public Library, currently has 300 children from the Shiprock area involved in the library's summer reading program but has goals of helping 1,000 children to learn the joys of reading.

"We've got about 300 registered and average nearly 10-20 children per day at the activities," said Scott. "We're working for at least 1,000 and so far the activities have been going pretty good and we're having a lot of fun with the kids."

Those activities run throughout the week and include everything from crafts to sign language. Monday's activities include crafts, Tuesday is game day in which children learn how to play a different board game and Wednesday is coloring.

Heading into the weekend, Thursday is the day for activity sheets and Friday's feature activity is sign language.

Aside from the weekly activities, students involved in the reading program are expected to read a certain number of books and visit the library throughout the summer.

"We've been doing this for four years," said Scott. "The kids read 15 books and visit the library three times during the summer and they get a free T-shirt."

But children's reading programs aren't the only available option as high school students now have the option of reading about their favorite musicians and celebrities.

"There were students that didn't like to come in and we encouraged them to read books they like," said Scott. "We even find the books that they'll like, even when the summer program isn't going on, we find the books that they like."

The challenges of increasing the number of students involved in the reading program haven't been the only challenge library staffers have faced recently.

With the library located in the Shiprock Boys and Girls Club, a near break-in occurred last week but nothing was stolen from the library. "Someone tried to break into the library," said Scott. "We're in the Boys and Girls Club but it's been closed and we're here by ourselves. We have two cameras inside the library but there were a lot of things going on inside the club, so it's hard to tell exactly what happened."

Parents or children interested in the Shiprock Public Library summer reading program can get more information by calling (505) 368-3804.

— Brian Hassler is The Independent's Four Corners reporter based in Shiprock. Contact him at (505) 360-7862 or via email at brianhassler@hotmail.com