Springfield City Library records show that 2,750 people got library cards last year; yet only half of Springfield residents have one.
Clik here to view.
The O'Quinn family of Springfield - from left, dad Thomas, mom Rosemary, and daughters Chelsea Faith and Kayliana Grace. The girls both attend the Rebecca Johnson School.
By JANET STUPAK
SPRINGFIELD — It is certainly no surprise that Springfield City Library celebrates reading and encourages others to do the same.
Indeed, we are passionate about developing new readers of all ages, so when we received the following letter, we definitely wanted to shout it from the highest rooftop in Springfield.
Good afternoon,
I take great pride in announcing that, over the last few weeks, over 200 students at our Rebecca Johnson Elementary School (approximately 25 percent of the student body) have completed forms to obtain library cards (for their first time) from the Springfield City Library system.
Their initiative speaks to our children's enormous interest in learning about the world they live in. I am reminded of this daily, as I witness their total immersion and response to the biographies of people from Emily Dickinson to Dizzy Gillespie, stories about red-tailed hawks living in urban high-rise buildings, or abstract descriptions of the concept "home."
Would you please do whatever is within your reach to conduct some sort of acknowledgement? It would be great encouragement for future-potential library card applicants.
Thank you.
Clik here to view.
Waleska Santiago-Centeno, a teacher and librarian at the Rebecca M. Johnson Elementary School, took this photo of a stack of library card applications from more than 200 pupils at the school.
This inspirational letter came from Waleska Santiago-Centeno, a teacher and librarian at the Rebecca M. Johnson Elementary School. Accompanying her note was a great photo showing that stack of library card applications.
Springfield City Library records show that 2,750 people got library cards last year; yet only half of Springfield residents have one.
And, according to Christina Dunn, director of the National Library of Education at the Department of Education, and Patricia Leslie, a librarian there, writing for "Homeroom," the official blog of the U.S. Department of Education, here are four great reasons everyone should be a library cardholder:
• Opening new worlds: Most Americans see the library as an educational support center for students of all ages. For parents, in particular, helping their children enjoy reading is one of the most important things they can do. Reading is fundamental to student development and learning; reading sparks curiosity and imagination. And this is where the library card comes in; it opens wide the world of books.
• Expert help: Not only does the public library have books for parents and children to take home and share or read on their own, it has librarians to help locate specific books for every age group and on any and every topic imaginable. And being able to use all of these wonderful books is free to the cardholder.
• Getting connected: About 30 percent of all students do not have home access to the Internet, according to the Department's National Center for Education Statistics, so for these students having a library card is extra important. The library is a hot spot for free Internet access and word processing computers; even computer classes and Internet instruction are available. In addition, libraries often offer free programs on everything from yoga to knitting to writing resumes to learning a language, as well as summer reading programs that keep those reading skills strong during summer vacation.
• Student success: For all students, a library card provides the information resources they need to succeed in school and in life. Resources not only include free access to eBooks and e-audiobooks, online databases for articles and reports, encyclopedias and test preparation materials, but also free access to library staff, who can help find additional materials to complete homework assignments, recommend an interesting read for an upcoming book report or teach how to select and use a database to research a science project. Since most public libraries have Web sites, many services are available from the Internet 24/7.
Clik here to view.
Janet Stupak is community relations coordinator for Springfield Public Library.
If you are "cardless" or haven't used a library in years, stop in or call any Springfield City Library branch. We've got experienced, well-informed staff ready to help you find something that will pique your reading interests.
New young readers can be nurtured at the Family Reads programs at our East Forest Park and Forest Park branches, in which families are invited to read a story or chapter of a book together. Participants then rate their book with star stickers, and can enjoy playing fun family games and sharing snacks. Simply drop in to our East Forest Park on the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. on Feb. 13, March 13, April 10 and May 8. At our Forest Park Branch, Family Reads happens on the fourth Tuesday of the month, beginning Jan. 22, at 4 p.m. Additional dates are Feb. 26, March 26, April 30 and May 28.
The Springfield City Library column appears monthly in Neighborhoods Plus. For information about the library and its programs, call Janet Stupak, community relations coordinator, at (413) 263-6828, ext. 422, or visit www.springfieldlibrary.org