Summer is Here, So Check Out the Fun Happening at the Neillsville Public Library
Monday, June 17th, 2019 -- 1:35 PM
-Summer is here and the Neillsville Public Library has many fun events to help keep kids entertained and help them avoid that summer slide.I spoke with Neillsville Public Library’s librarians, Cara Hart and Kathy Wegner, and they explained some of the summer programs and events they have going on.
Kathy: “We have the Summer Reading Program. And what they do is they come in and sign up to read so many books over a 9-week period. And we usually ask them to sign up for a number that is challenging, but doable. We want them to read for fun, not that they have to read.”
“And then we do have programs on Wednesdays. Usually those are in the afternoon, except our first program will begin at 7pm in the evening. Otherwise, they’re in the afternoon and 1pm and that’s open to the community because it’s supported by the Neillsville Library Foundation.”
“And when they get a chance to read their books, they can’t turn in their reading record until July 31st to August 17th. When they hand those in, they get coupons from various businesses in town. And without the community’s support, we wouldn’t have the library program that we do because the foundation gives us a lot of money so we can have performers and treats and crafts.”
“And then we do have story hours in the summer, but those are on Thursdays in the morning from 10:30am-11am. And they’re geared more for 3-6 year olds, but everybody is welcome.”
“If they don’t continue reading throughout the summer, they lose those reading skills and teachers can tell in the fall.”
They also explained why it’s a good idea to keep kids reading during the summer.
Kathy: “If they don’t read, it’s like if you play an instrument. If you don’t play for 3 months, how are you going to sound after that? And it’s the same with reading. You lose those skills. If they continue reading, teachers notice it and it’s better if they start reading at an earlier age so they continue to read throughout their life.”
Cara: “And reading skills are cumulative. So, three months in between grade levels of not reading for two years, that equals 6 months the child has not read so that’s cumulative skills lost. Or, vice-versa, if they read for those summers now they’re 6 months ahead of their peers who have not read at all.”
Kathy and Cara went into more detail about the programs the library is having on Wednesdays.
Kathy: “The first one is called Nature’s Niche.”
Cara: “It’s my favorite. It’s the reptile guy.”
Kathy: “Right! And he’s bringing a big snake. But that’s in the evening and it’s kinda funny because the kids remember what I tell them when he comes to visit. I tell them where I’m going to be and I’m going to be hiding in the bathroom! And they remember that one! So, that’s 7pm in the evening. Otherwise, they’re at 1pm in the afternoon.”
“Our next program is going to feature an air powered rocket workshop. If the weather is good, we are going to go outside and shoot those rockets off. And then we’ll have a craft day right before the 4th of July and that will be centered around 4th of July Holiday. And then on July 10th, we’ll have a clown/magician/juggler. You name it and he can do it.”
“After that, we’ll have another craft day and that’s going to be geared toward the Summer Program theme, which is Universe of Stories. We forgot to mention, the theme this year is Universe of Stories and it’s space based. On the 24th of July, we’re going to have a presentation called ‘Giant Steps’ and that’s talking about the moon landing, so that should be really interesting.”
“And our last program is on July 31st and that’s at 1pm and it’s called ‘Rocking Around the Universe.’ It features a singer/storyteller and he’s going to have us doing the Jupiter and Jump and the Pluto Polka. And all those fun things are on Wednesday and, like on said, on Thursdays, we’ll have some story hours.”
Finally, Cara and Kathy ended our interview by talking about some of the other programs they provide outside the summer months and where you can go to learn more.
Cara: “We do a lot outside of that, but we like to reserve the adult and family stuff outside of the Summer Reading Program, so that the summer is focused purely on that because that’s pretty busy for us. And you can find us on Facebook, website or newsletter. Or radio station! Or newspaper.”
Once again, you can learn more about what’s happening at the library by checking out their website or Facebook page.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.