Library starts Family Reading Night

Magness Library has implemented a new program designed to introduce students from Warren County elementary schools, and their parents, to the services the newly renovated library offers.

The program is called Magness Library Family Reading Night and is being held in cooperation with the school system, which will be providing bus transportation for participants from the respective schools to the library.

Around 30 students, teachers and parents from Dibrell Elementary attended the program launch held Tuesday night with special guests Raggedy Ann and Andy, in the persons of Doc and Loretta Jones, and County Commissioner, and WCPI radio personality, Bill Zechman.

Library director Mary Robbins said plans are to work with all the schools in the county to reach as many students and their families as possible with the program.

‘We’re doing one with each school,’ Robbins said. ‘We’ll be doing a school a month.’

The program came about as a result of a conversation between Robbins and the school system’s professional and community development coordinator Bonnie Collier.

‘We thought what a wonderful thing it would be if the children in the school system knew more about the resources that are available to them at their public library,’ Robbins said. ‘So out of that thought, which kind of grew in that conversation, this is what developed.’

Once at the library the students will get a chance to tour the facility and learn about its features and services.

‘We’re going to do a library orientation for them,’ Robbins said. ‘What there is available here, how to use it, how to find things, how to care for books and so on.’

But as usual with Magness programs involving children, the events are going to include some entertainment along with the learning.

‘Of course, since it’s Family Reading Night, we’re going to read a story,’ Robbins said.

Tuesday night’s inaugural event went smoothly, with the group moving upstairs after arriving on the bus where they heard a welcome and explanation of the program. Each program will include a library activity, according to Robbins, with materials provided by the library. The first program provided students with ‘reading bags’ filled with interesting items, including library brochures, bookmarks, and a library activity book. The bags provided a bonus for some lucky students, since three of them included tickets for a special prize, an autographed copy of Patty Majors’ book ‘Mortimer and the Bookmobile.’

The group then moved downstairs to the Children’s Department where the students were treated to a story read by Raggedy Ann and Andy.

The new Children’s Department at Magness houses an estimated 12,000 books geared toward children of all ages, including classics from beloved authors like Dr. Seuss. And the department has moved into the electronic age with videos and audio books on hand as well.

Dibrell PTO president Teddy Jones, who attended the event with his daughters, said he feels the program is a great way to introduce students to the library.

‘We’re really excited about this program, and pleased to be the first school to participate in this,’ Jones said. ‘Anything we can do as parents to be involved with our children and school is great, and programs like this really help us do that.’