MUSCATINE, Iowa–In June, the Musser Public Library invited everyone, from the tiniest tots to grown adults, to find their voices through this year’s summer reading program. Since then, the library has hosted numerous programs encouraging inquiry and expression, from bringing Make Do Kits to Muscatine Community School District’s Summer Program for Arts, Recreation, and Knowledge (S. P. A. R. K.), to hosting songwriting workshops for teens, to allowing adults to explore local history through the Muscatine’s Voices of the Past event, along with traditional reading tracking opportunities. With approximately 742 children and teens and 155 adults logging their reading and many participating in the library’s programs, organizers consider this summer a great success.
For the past two months, children and teens from birth to 18 could log (or have a parent log) their reading minutes and work towards a goal of reading at least 600 minutes. Additionally, youth could log their hours spent outside with a goal of reaching 100. To encourage kids to meet these goals, the library offered additional challenges for them to complete, such as reading a dinosaur-themed book and then attending either the library’s animatronic dinosaur event or going to the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department’s dinosaur dig event. With a great selection of books available and many fun programs to attend, from a live owl viewing with Muscatine County Conservation to a foam cannon extravaganza with Absolute Science and numerous collaborations with parks and recreation, kids fully engaged with the challenges. In all, kids completed 10,651 activities, 301 read for 600 minutes or more, and 69 spent at least 100 hours outside.
Youth Services Manager Betty Collins felt delighted by the high level of engagement among young readers. “We feel both reading and being outside are important parts of a child’s development,” she said.
Teens liked the offerings reserved for them as well. Youth Services Librarian Emerson Taylor reported that young musicians loved his songwriting classes and that they provided a great space to mentor youth enjoyably. “It was a small group, but it was a small enthusiastic group!” he shared.
Children and librarians alike enjoyed the foam cannon party. Photo courtesy of the Musser Public Library.
Though people typically associate summer reading with children, many adults got involved this year too. Assistant Library Director Molly Garrett found that adults liked the hobby series put on for them. In addition to having a good showing for the local history workshop, she considered the Play the Genres game nights in June well-received. “I think our partnership with Remis Arcane Exchange was really good, and the opportunity to partner with other community partners expanded patron’s views of what the library offers,” she reflected.
After creating so many good memories and helping people of all ages learn more about themselves and their passions, the library staff feels grateful to everyone in the community who helped make this year’s summer reading program possible. “We don’t just put on programs for people; we pout on programs with the community,” emphasized Collins. In particular, the staff thank CBI Bank and Trust and the Friends of the Musser Public Library for their sponsorships.
Programming at the library will take a hiatus in August to allow organizers time to rest following summer reading and to develop exciting offerings for the coming year. They look forward to starting new sessions of long-time favorites and fresh offerings after Labor Day.
