Apalachicola Municipal Library partners with County Solid Waste Operation to wrap up summer reading program

Project Impact ABC School Site

Yesterday marked the end of the 2014 annual summer reading program sponsored by the Apalachicola Municipal Library in collaboration with Project Impact, the city's Afterschool and Summer Enrichment Program.

This year’s theme was "Fizz, Boom, Read", which introduced science into the local reading program.  The last two days, Monday and Tuesday were held at both Project Impact sites, the City Site and the ABC School Site, where Apalachicola Municipal Librarian Caty Greene partnered with the Franklin County Solid Waste Department to teach the students about recycling and the impact recycling has on the environment. 

On hand to teach the students were Fonda Davis, Sr., Solid Waste Director and "Ribbit" the Recycling Frog.  Davis displayed for the students samples of actual materials that are targeted by Franklin County for recycling.  Both Davis and Ribbit left the students with bags full of goodies along with printed material on what, how and where to recycle.

According to Susan Buzzett-Clementson, Chair of the Apalachicola Municipal Library Board the reading program is in its 5th year of operation and has served as a magnet that has repeatedly drawn students year-round into the local library where they read; check out books and to use the computers.

"We're in our 5th year and it's becoming more successful with each year.  The students, grades Pre-K thru 6, enjoyed this year’s science theme, Fizz, Boom, Read, and hearing about famous people, doing related crafts and visiting the library each week to check out books", said Clementson.

According to Greene the ongoing collaboration between the Library and Project Impact has been very fruitful and rewarding for both parties.

“The Apalachicola Municipal Library Summer Reading Program continues to be very successful as a partnership with Project Impact”, said Greene.  “Young readers are each year introduced to their local public library, its resources and the wonder of worlds real and imaginary, found between the covers of books. We hope these readers will continue to explore and enjoy the libraries substantial offerings year round”.

The introduction of summer reading programs at libraries date back to the 1890's, and were established as a means to encourage school age children, particularly those in urban areas and not needed for farm work, to read during their summer vacation, use the library and develop the habit of reading.

"Most of all, the children are comfortable in the library!  They see it as an inviting place... it is not intimidating! Our hope is that we can help them to be lifelong learners. And, as my mother always said, "The half of knowledge is to know where to find knowledge", Clementson concluded.