by Chelsea Rhae Childers Rowan Public Library
Rowan Public Library is rocking
the summer with a full slate of free programming that encourages reading,
fosters a love of learning, and entertains. Summer Reading at RPL is for
everyone, with participants organized by age:
Children (0-10), Teens (11-17), and Adults (18 and up). Participants log
their reading and activities, submit their records, and win prizes. We know
what a task it can be, convincing kids to read in the summertime, so we strive
to provide an outpouring of outreach opportunities to maintain the blessing of
promoting literacy in Rowan County. As the Children’s Outreach Program
Supervisor, I perform all functions of Books-To-Grow, Rowan-Reads-to-Newborns,
and oversee Stories-To-Go (the Bookmobile).
Books-To-Grow (BTG) is a literacy
program for preschool students within the Rowan-Salisbury School System. This
is a program for at-risk 4-year-olds, offered in partnership with RSS and Smart
Start Rowan. This take-home book bag program promotes early literacy skills
with daily "read-aloud" sessions between children and parents. I
educate parents on the importance of routinely reading to their young child. A
BTG book bag with 3 developmentally appropriate children's books and a journal
are loaned to participating families on a weekly rotation. I visit each
classroom twice a month to lead enjoyable and interactive music, reading, and
journal sharing time with the children.
Through Rowan-Reads-to-Newborns,
every child born at Novant Rowan Medical Center receives a quality library tote-bag
containing: A high-contrast board book, an
American Library Association’s ‘Every Child Ready to Read’ brochure, Smart
Start Rowan brochure, Milestone Moments brochure, library card application for
newborns, and a variety of other materials to promote early literacy.
The Stories-To-Go Bookmobile
serves licensed child care facilities, Head Starts Programs, private and
pre-schools throughout Rowan County. STG staff, Vicki Rufty and Ashley Bowie,
present highly interactive language development programs for children and
childcare providers. Children attending childcare facilities board the
child-friendly bookmobile and select books to take home and share with their
families. Ashley and Vicki are a dynamic duo; serving as the hands and feet of the
library, traveling across the county to get books out to the youngsters of
Rowan County. During the school year, these programs are for preschoolers at
local schools and daycare centers, private and public, throughout the county. In
the summertime, I contribute to our Summer Reading Program with preschool
toddler programs at all 3 of our RPL branches. Vicki and Ashley stop their
normal story times and book checkouts to go on an altered outreach adventure
called ‘Books & Bites’. The Bookmobile follows the bus routes of the mobile
meal sites for a program called Summer Meals. Sponsored by Rowan-Salisbury
Schools, this School Nutrition program provides free meals to children ages
3-18. Open sites for Summer Meals 2018 include local churches, schools,
municipal buildings, and community centers, and operate from June 13th through
August 16th (Monday -Friday). More information about these programs is
available online at www.rowancountync.gov.
"It is only with the
heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
–The Little Prince. It is vital to
provide a healthy environment in the home for children, but not all homes are
safe. Survivors of violence or abuse in the home may have more complex needs.
Serving the children of Rowan County has been a passion of mine for the better
part of a decade. While partnering with community organizations such as Smart
Start Rowan, Novant Rowan Medical Center, and Rowan-Salisbury Schools, I have
the opportunity to provide essential tools for inspiring young minds and
building family learning relationships that nurture the development of literacy
skills. Apart from the library, but in relation to these, I am involved with a
local non-profit organization called Chickweed. Chickweed Inc. is a registered
501(3) non-profit agency, whose mission is to deliver a message of empowerment
to victims of violence through the arts. The 7th Annual Chickweed ~ Celebrating
the Indestructible arts & culture festival takes place on Saturday, July
21, 2018. Chickweed aligns an amazing roster of women performers and artists, demonstrating
the empowering ability of the arts. Beginning as a small concert in 2012, and attracting
nearly 200 guests in its inaugural run, the event now attracts nearly 500
guests annually. Chickweed has historically donated event proceeds annually to
our local shelter for women victims of violence and their children. In 2018, Chickweed
advances to a new plane, donating event proceeds to Prevent Child Abuse Rowan Inc.
in an effort to stem violence at its roots and further broadcast our reach into
the community. Prevent Child Abuse Rowan is proving that education is one of
the best ways to combat child abuse in our community through a school-based
prevention program. www.preventchildabuserowan.org.
The Rowan Public Library has
a wonderful collection of children’s books that promote empowerment and address
healthy family relationships. Wouldn’t
it be terrific to add these to our children’s summer reading program? For ideas on books to ask for, visit www.amightygirl.com. Empowering our youth
through the arts...and reading…is a mighty thing! As an annual performer and Vice President of Chickweed,
I personally invite you to join us July 21st at the F&M Trolley
Barn from 4 to 11pm to celebrate with us. For more information on promoting the
arts in support of the Chickweed mission,
visit www.thechickweed.com.
I am so grateful for the
opportunity to work with children through the Rowan Public Library and to have
the support and partnership of so many dedicated and talented people and
organizations. As our county programs and efforts increase, the ripple cannot
help but be felt by those in need. I
realize a community like ours has much to offer by so many doing such good. Won’t
you join me and do the same?
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