Page 67 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 47 Spring 2024

by Sunnie Scarpa & Rosalie DeCrosta book group reads a long novel over who can’t make it to Library, prefer for the under 5 crowd, hands-on
WALLINGFORD the course of the winter months to read or listen to their books on a programs for school-aged kids,
and meets periodically to talk device, or for frequent commuters gaming programs for all ages, and
about it in sections. This year we or travelers.
several collaborations with other
PUBLIC LIBRARY are reading Emily Wilson’s transla- organizations in the community.
tion of The Odyssey. You can find Finally, we offer literacy skills in This winter and spring, we are par-
a list of all our book clubs and up- other languages. In addition to a ticularly excited to offer a program
Our Doors Open To Endless Possibilities coming book titles on our website: collection of print materials for about animal footprints with the
learning languages, the library also Garden Club, several collabora-
walpublib.org/bookclubs.
subscribes to Transparent Lan- tions with students from Choate
How do you select re- can open doors to worlds that we ments do a tremendous job pro- guage, which offers self-paced dig- Rosemary Hall, a Bluey Party, a
sources for your li- can only dream of – both literally, moting literacy for children from ital language courses. The library drum circle program for elementa-
brary? in the form of study aids, career birth through age 17, in partner- offers two in-person conversation ry school kids, an astronomy club,
The librarians at the Wallingford advancement materials, self-help ship with our public schools and groups, one for French speak- and several family paint nights. (If
Public Library use a vast array of materials, and more; and figura- other youth serving organizations ers and one for Spanish speakers you haven’t heard of it, Bluey is a
professional skills and re- in Wallingford. This is the who want to continue to improve TV show for toddlers, preschool-
sources to create a collec- most crucial time to instill their conversational skills in a sec- ers, and early elementary school
tion (books, movies, peri- the love of reading in a per- ond language. For those who are kids that both kids and their par-
odicals, databases, and our son's life, because it allows learning English or would like to ents are particularly in love with
super fun Library of Things) them to succeed in school improve their English skills, a vol- right now.)
that reflects as much as as well as creating a posi- unteer from Literacy Volunteers is
possible the mission of tive association with read- The library also features three ro- available at the library every Tues- Finally, the children’s department
the Library: “to inspire, ing into their adult years. tating monthly displays in the main day from 11:30am-1pm. You can is excited to be hosting this year’s
enrich, and inform.” In However, we have year- library highlighting different areas find out more about the services One Book, One Wallingford with
short, our goal is to create round enrichment oppor- of our print collection. Different they provide at lvagnh.org. our pick of The Lost Library by Re-
a collection that provides tunities for adult literacy staff members curate the displays Our monthly newsletter features becca Stead and Wendy Mass. The
for both the information- too! with the goal of showcasing time- upcoming book releases, staff rec- book is intended to be read inde-
al and recreational needs ly and topical books, as well as ommendations, and other topical pendently by students in grades
of everyone in our diverse One Book One Wallingford some that are simply interesting reading lists. You can access the 3-6, but it also works as a great
community. We do this by is our primary event for and amusing. In January we are newsletter digitally here: walpub- read aloud for younger kids. Adults
consulting professional promoting literacy to Wall- showcasing different world epics lib.org/newsletter can definitely read it too! One of
trade publications, utilizing ingford’s adult residents. to coincide with Hibernation Book the reasons we chose the book
online services created by One Book One Wallingford Club’s reading of The Odyssey. In Chris Ciemniewski, Publicity and was because we felt like it is a sto-
both publishers and inde- is a town-wide book club addition, we are featuring a display Public Services Librarian ry that can be enjoyed by all ages.
pendent sources; all while and then some. We offer to help patrons with their New Throughout the winter and spring
taking into consideration tie-in programs and dis- Year’s Resolutions (or Aspirations) we will be hosting a number of
budget, space, our current cussions culminating with and a display showcasing the Unit- events related to the book, includ-
collection, and feedback a visit with the author so ed States’ First Ladies. ing a cooking program, a writing
received from members of that adults can engage workshop, read aloud events, and
our community. with the text in ways they Our summer reading programming we may even see some “ghost bub-
may not be able to do on is another way we promote liter- bles” at our Bubblemania program
We intentionally seek out their own or even with a acy. Over the summer we to en- over April vacation. OBOW will cul-
a wide variety of materi- traditional book club. This courage people to read what they minate on Tuesday, April 30th with
als that represent different year we are featuring a enjoy rather than reading anything family fun events and a live, in-per-
perspectives and view- children’s book, but we still specific. This is a proven strategy son author talk with both authors.
points, so that while each item in tively, in the form of travel books, encourage adults to read it for fun. for encouraging students to read
our collection may be unique, as a fantasy, and science fiction. It was selected because it contains over the summer and escape the Kari Hamad, Head of Children’s
whole our collection offers readers We strive to ensure that no mat- themes that will resonate with all “summer slide” in their reading Services
the ability to access resources that ter who you are, or what you like, ages, including evoking the nostal- skills – and it works for adults too! What new programs
can serve as “mirrors, windows, there is something here for you to gia of what it felt like to fall in love When we read what we love it is are coming up for the Teen Services has a fun new pro-
and sliding glass doors.” Dr. Rudine enjoy! with a book as a kid. much easier for all of us to retain year in your respective gram starting this year called the
Sims Bishop coined this terminolo- (or rediscover) the joy of reading. department? Fandom Club. Students in grades
gy in an essay published in 1990. It Sunnie Scarpa, Library Director In addition to One Book One Wall- The children’s department al- 6-12 are invited to come hang out,
refers to the need for some books ingford, our line-up of book clubs In addition to traditional print ways has a lot going on! We serve share your passion, and meet oth-
to provide a reflection of our own Do you have a specific always seems to be growing. From books, we also subscribe to digital children from birth through fifth ers who might have the same fan-
lives, while others offer a view into strategy for promot- January to March our Readers Ad- services, Hoopla and Libby where grade, so we need to be sure we dom. They’ll also do some simple
worlds, experiences, and perspec- ing literacy in the visory Librarian Cindy Haiken is patrons can download eBooks and offer plenty of programming for a fandom crafts and maybe play a
tives that differ from our own. Of community? facilitating our second annual Hi- audiobooks directly to their device. variety of ages and interests. Com- few rounds of Smash! The Fandom
course, it’s well known that books Our Children’s and Teen Depart- bernation Book Club in which the These are great resources for those ing up we have weekly story times Club will meet for the first time on

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