It Takes a Community...

What a wonderful community we have here in Virginia!  Especially when it comes to reading.  I'm just starting to compile our summer reading program reports and am astounded at our preliminary numbers.  We've broken all previous records with 972 children participating in our summer reading program.  This is a fantastic number that begs to be broken again next year by hitting the 1,000 mark.  However, our reading program isn't about numbers, it's about reading.  Along that line, the kids who chose to count their reading by books read more than 10,000 books in two months. Those who chose to count by pages read more than 200,000 pages.  And those kids who decided to write a review for their peers wrote more than 5,000 reviews. Isn't this astounding?

 

 

While I would like to take the credit for every single book, page, and written review, I know that isn't fair.  After all, these are children who don't drive.   While several children walk to our library, the majority are brought to the library by their parents, grandparents, neighbors, babysitters, or even by the amazingly patient staff at their childcare center.  Considering the number of activities throughout our community, and the number of warm days this year, the dedication of these people to bring their children to the library in order keep them reading throughout the summer is amazing!

 

 

The credit goes even farther than that:  It extends to the many people who have worked hard all year to make sure we have the funds and means to provide such a successful program.  While the Friends of the Library have traditionally supported our summer reading program, they were joined this year by members of the Roosevelt and Parkview PTA, the Virginia Area Women of Today,  the Quad Cities Rotary Club and several businesses who provided incentives.  I saw more than a few children's eyes light up when they received free coupons from McDonalds Restaurant as part of their midpoint prize.  In addition, I heard many kids gasp when they were handed a certificate for a free meal at Perkins as part of their final prize.  With the numbers in our program, all the work and monetary donations that these groups have made have reaped a hefty benefit to our community.

 

 

All these fantastic numbers are tied together and that tie was heavily underscored by the good news regarding Virginia students' reading scores on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments.  So, while I am gleefully exhausted at the conclusion of our 2012 Summer Reading Program, I am even more thankful for our fantastic reading community. 

Thank you, Virginia!

 

-- Dawn Heisel, Public Services Librarian

Dream Big Celebration

You came to the library at the beginning of June to sign up.  You came in every week to record the books you have finished and to check out more.  You reached your mid-point goal.  Some of you have reached your final goal and most of you will reach that before the end of this week. 

Now it is time for us to say thank you for participating in and congratulate you for completing this year's Dream Big Summer Reading Program.  There will be games and door prizes, as well as lively music with local performer Casey Aro.  

Casey Aro

Third Annual Lego Challenge and Lego Competition

We would like to thank all of the children and their parents who participated in both the Competition and Challenge this year.   All of your creations were wonderful.  Library patrons admired your Lego Competition entries last week and the Virginia City Engineering Department had a tough time choosing the winners. 

The Challenge was a great event, whether children used their own Legos or borrowed them from the library.  That judge, too was hard pressed to come up with winners due to all of the beautiful pieces the children put together.   

See our Facebook page for more photos. 



Susan Hoppe -- Reference Services Librarian

Read & Win at the St. Louis County Fair!

The Read & Win Program will begin on July 1^st at several area libraries, including ours!  This is a one month reading program for children entering first through seventh grade in the fall.  By reading library books, children may earn prizes to be redeemed at the St. Louis County Fair held July 25^th through July 29^th.

Free admission, food, and a ride that is not included in the ride packages will be awarded courtesy of Schwieby’s Concessions, Fraboni Sausage Company, The Todd Armstrong Show, the International Association of Fair and Expositions, the National Independent Concessionaires Association, Arrowhead Library System, and the St. Louis County Fair Board.

Children can register at the following participating libraries:  Chisholm, Eveleth, Gilbert, Hibbing or Virginia.  For more information call 748-7525.

-- Dawn Heisel, Public Services Librarian

Great Start to the Summer Reading Program

Choosing Tape

It is almost the end of the second full week of this year's SRP and there are more than 600 children and teens signed up, more than 1400 books read, and more than 1200 book reviews on the Summer Reading Program website! 

Having Fun

Do you or someone you know want to sign up but think it is too late?  Not at all--Registration doesn't end until Thursday, June 28th. 

Our first two programs, Slow Sal & Speedy and Duct Tape Madness saw great turn outs of kids and their parents.  Mystery of the Rainforest, today's event from Minnesota Sea Life, promises to have lots of animals and artifacts from the rainforest for kids to see and even touch.

Finished Product

We're looking forward to seeing you!

Susan Hoppe -- Reference Services Librarian