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Community Agency Project: “Imagine That: Our Own Library!”
In the process of working with local daycare centers, I found that it was a common problem for daycare providers to maintain
reliable, consistent access to library programs. The logistics of transportation are often too complicated, and staffing may
be a problem. Many of the children simply never come to the library because their parents cannot bring them; either the library
hours are not convenient, or they have no transportation, or the parents are too tired or overwhelmed with other responsibilities.
Those who do participate are often not the children who most need our help. So, how can we offer services and foster reading
skills for those who cannot participate in current programs?
I brainstormed with other staff members, and hit upon the idea of setting up a lending library for the daycare centers, but
the concerns of losing books, or making the daycare staff responsible for material, seemed to make the idea impracticable.
I suggested that perhaps, with the support of other libraries, booksellers, school programs and even appeals to individuals,
we could elicit donations of books, and create a ‘library’ in the daycare centers themselves. They would have
their own books that children could ‘check out’, or that they could use in their daily routines. The children
would have access to books, and would get a sense of what a library is and how it works. They could each have a library ‘card’,
and perhaps could even help staff with ‘library chores’! After I got excited over the possibilities, I discovered
through our SCSU class work that a national agency – the Head Start program - has already begun just such a project!
I then contacted a local Head Start group, and asked their advice on how best to implement my idea for the daycare centers
in town.
After much discussion, we agreed the best course would be to start with one daycare center, to avoid being overwhelmed. I
have developed a form letter to request donations from area businesses, and have contacted libraries to ask about donations
of weeded materials (such as discarded books in good condition, appropriate for ages 1-5).
The local paper will run a brief story on the project; individuals who have materials or funds to donate may drop them off
at the community center, or contact me by phone. I will facilitate the creation of a simple filing system or ‘card catalog’
that the daycare staff can maintain and expand as needed. We are still discussing the best way to organize materials to suit
their own needs.
The news release and prototype letter to potential donors are included below:
Record Enterprise Release
“Imagine That!”, a new program developed by the staff at Gordon-Nash Library and supported by many generous donors,
promotes early reading skills for pre-school children by providing them with the ‘tools’ to build a library of
their own at their local daycare center. The pilot project, established at ‘Just for Kids’ in Bristol, is growing
by leaps and bounds. According to Myra Emmons, project coordinator, “There has been a tremendous response to our request
for materials – local businesses and individuals have contributed funds, books and craft materials. The people of this
community should be very proud of their on-going support for children’s programs.” The donated books and materials
will be organized and shelved, and may be “checked out” by the children, or used for storytime by daycare center
staff.
If you have any age-appropriate books to contribute, or if you’d like to make a donation or volunteer, please contact
the Thompson-Tapply Community Center at 744-2713, or the Gordon-Nash Library at 744-8160.
Donations
Dear ________,
As part of an ongoing effort to promote an enduring love of reading, Gordon-Nash Library and Just for Kids Daycare in Bristol
are working on a cooperative program called “Imagine That!”. Our goal is to establish a ‘Lending Library’
for children at their daycare center. We conduct regular story hours, including activities to improve pre-reading skills,
and children are encouraged to ‘check out’ books to take home and to read with their parents. By fostering these
early skills and providing delightful reading experiences, we can help prepare children for a lifetime of learning.
Please join us in supporting this commendable program. We greatly appreciate donations of time, money or materials. Your ideas
and comments are always welcome.
On behalf of Gordon-Nash, Just for Kids, and our community’s children, I thank you for your generosity.
Myra Emmons,
Program Coordinator
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