Library representatives from Shenandoah, Essex, Coin and another branch updated the Board of Supervisors on summer programs, attendance and new services.
Why it matters: County libraries reported strong program participation this summer, partnerships with nearby towns, and new digital tools that extend educational and test-prep resources to residents.
Terry Falk, of the Shenandoah Public Library, said the county’s libraries offered a 12-week summer reading program with a games theme and reported high engagement: Essex saw about 15 children at one program and widespread interest across events. Falk described a multi-level badge system used in Shenandoah’s program; 101 readers signed up, almost 800 badges were earned and 39 readers reached level 2 or higher.
Florinda/Clorinda-area and Coin representatives also reported robust participation: one branch had 196 children register, more than 9,000 minutes read and about 8,300 visits during the summer program. Libraries described partnerships with Tabor for shared presenters, a teacher meet-and-greet scheduled for Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. in Shenandoah, and upcoming events such as a lecture-recital about music from the Holocaust.
Libraries also highlighted new services available countywide: Momentrix, an online test-prep and tutoring resource accessible with a library card, and Novel Effect, an app that adds synchronized sound effects to read-aloud sessions to engage children. Representatives encouraged supervisors and residents to check local calendars for fall programs.