Page 9 - Work Force June 2022

Summer: brought to you by CSEA members
Tips to keep children engaged in reading
Taylor Beach and Sara Scoggan, librarians at Newburgh Free Library, offered these tips for keeping children engaged in reading and literacy:
• Make reading aloud part of your family culture. Even teens can still benefit.
• Audiobooks are great options for family read-alouds, as well as engaging reluctant readers.
• Check out a variety of books ranging from fiction and non-
fiction, poetry and graphic
novels.
• Graphic novels are a great
option for all ages. These are books, just like any other, and reading them boosts literacy and engages struggling readers.
• With babies and toddlers, engage your children in everyday activities, which helps young children build a larger vocabulary and sets a foundation for literacy.
9
Summer library programs keep kids engaged
NEWBURGH — You don’t have to travel far from home to broaden your horizons.
Just head to your local library.
That’s what CSEA members
at Newburgh Free Library are encouraging children and families to do this summer.
Library staff have spent months building summer programming at the library’s two branches, aimed not only at fostering a love of reading but also learning new skills. While some summer camps in the area are pricy and out of reach for many families, the library offers similar enrichment opportunities accessible to all.
“I always say that the library
is the last place where you can come and you’re not expected to buy anything,” said Taylor Beach, the teen and outreach librarian at Newburgh Free Library.
Fostering a love of reading
Library staff in Newburgh are using elements of the national Collaborative Summer Library Program’s 2022 summer reading theme of ‘Oceans of Possibilities,’ adding beach-themed elements to some story times and other programs.
“One of our first events is a celebration of the book ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,’ which was published 152 years ago,” said Sara Scoggan, early literacy and parenting librarian.
The summer programs are promoted within the community
and school district. With many new families moving to the Newburgh area during the pandemic, librarians are looking forward to welcoming new library patrons while welcoming back frequent visitors.
The goal of summer programs is to foster a love of reading in younger children and help older children continue building their literacy skills.
Scoggan plans a variety of events throughout the summer, aiming for programming that can include the whole family, which is helpful for families with children of different ages.
“Those are my favorite to plan because you can try to have a little bit of something for everyone and everyone feels they can come and participate,” said Scoggan.
In addition to story times, popular events include Tail Waggin’ Tutors (overseen by fellow CSEA member Bonnie Sakow, which allows early
This year’s national theme for summer reading is “Oceans of Possibilities.” CSEA members, from left, Sara Scoggan, Taylor Beach and Bonnie Sakow have ocean-themed story times and other programs in the summer lineup at Newburgh Free Library.
June 2022
The Work Force
readers to build their skills by reading to therapy dogs), crafts, events in the story garden and yoga. Children
This year, the existing year-round Girls Who Code club will be offered as a two-week, half-day summer
are encouraged
to participate
in the library’s reading challenges. Librarians will even customize lists
of recommended books for children based on specific interests.
Expanding interests
With some
older children
less interested in reading, Beach works to create programs that accommodate their current interests and incorporates feedback from teens and tweens.
CSEA member Taylor Beach, teen and outreach librarian at Newburgh Free Library, counts the library’s Anime and Manga Club as a favorite with local teens. Manga, a style of comics that originated in Japan, and graphic novels in general
have spiked in popularity with younger readers.
camp in which
girls learn to build websites. Teen yoga (Beach is a certified instructor) is also on the schedule.
While many libraries’ summer programs end in early August, Newburgh’s extends well into August. That effort helps combat learning loss, also known as summer slide.
“So long as you keep kids reading and keep them engaged, that combats that summer slide,” said Scoggan.
Libraries across the state are preparing for the kickoff of summer programming. Visit your local library’s
“A lot of teens
are into manga and anime,” said Beach. “We also see a lot of interest in the Marvel and DC comic books. Graphic novels have become hugely popular.”
website for more information and take advantage of the many free options offered in communities across the state.
— Jessica Ladlee