Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Summer Reading topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Youth services librarian outlines 'Unearth the Story' summer reading program
Summary
Youth services librarian Leah Downer Gower presented the library’s 'Unearth the Story' summer reading plan, which begins June 23 and includes child- and teen-focused events, school outreach, volunteer shifts and a raffle with multiple prizes; sign-up uses QR codes and participants receive take-home books.
Leah Downer Gower, the library’s youth services librarian, presented the trustees with the summer reading plan “Unearth the Story,” saying the program will start June 23 and include daily activities for children and events for teens.
Gower said the program will open with a performance by “Trevor the Juggler,” and highlighted a Juneteenth–through–July schedule that includes weekly “messy art” sessions and a library-lab science series led by former East Elementary teacher Maggie Brown. “They were so excited. I think there’s something about the books being wrapped also,” Gower said, describing classroom visits and delivery of books to fifth graders.
For incentives, Gower said children will receive a book when they sign up and another at the end of the summer if they participate; for every hour read they will add a sticker and earn raffle tickets for eight larger prizes. Participants will also receive a small themed item (she noted a donation of plastic shovels and a dinosaur-adoption card). Gower said QR codes printed on calendars will allow parents to register quickly.
Student ambassador Lana raised her interest in summer volunteering; trustees and staff encouraged her to contact Gower about short-term shifts and helping with younger programs. Gower said the program will rely on teen and tween volunteers to run activities and that sign-in/sign-out procedures will help the teens build job skills.
The director and trustees welcomed the library’s outreach to local schools, noting that staff visits produced new library card signups and increased early-caregiver engagement. Gower said the calendar and sign-up details will be distributed through school backpacks and at the library, and she invited trustees to contact her with questions about specific events.
