Summer Reading Program Update: Book - A - Trip Around the World!
| August 18, 2009: The Seventh Annual Enid Baa Summer Reading Program (SRP), "Book a Trip Around the World", sponsored by the Friends of St. Thomas Public Libraries and funded by the Foundation for Enhanced Learning ended with an exciting awards ceremony on Saturday, August 15, 2009. The Children's Room of the Baa Library was standing room only as children, parents, grandparents and friends packed the room to hear the children talk about the books they read and their travels over the summer. | 
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Student presenters were outstanding in their reviews and very entertaining. Symra Chinnery, librarian, talked about ongoing programs and events at the library and stirred up excitement as she revealed plans for the new library. Library assistant, Stephanie Anderson-Roberts, discussed summer events at the library and upcoming after school programs that will be conducted. I engaged attendees in two activities that came from the journal workbooks. The awards program concluded with each child who completed and submitted the summer reading journal workbook being awarded a gift certificate to Dockside Book Shop, a t-shirt depicting the program's theme, and a goodie bag. Dockside Book Shop and Billy D's Special Tees are faithful in their cooperation and support of the SRP.
Kudos to the Enid Baa Library staff under the guidance and direction of Ms. Symra Chinnery for developing the workbooks and running a great summer reading program. Five different leveled workbooks were designed: ages 0 -6 years, rising 1st -3rd grades, rising 4th - 6th grades, rising 7th - 8th, and rising 9th - 12th grades. The journals contained a list of recommended books to read as well as activities along the theme of traveling. One hundred and sixteen young people ages 1 to 18 registered for this year's program. Sixty three children (53%) submitted completed journals. This was double the number of students from last year! Participants from the program came from every public school except Marcelli and Sibilly and from every nonpublic school except Zion Academy. Students visiting from off island registered and the number of participating home schooled children increased to seven up from two last year. Many day care centers were represented also. Calvary Christian Academy logged the most students registered from a single school. Calvary and All Saints tied for the most students who submitted completed journal workbooks (eight students each). Each school will be awarded a small collection of books for their libraries.
Students rising from 1st to 3rd continue to represent the largest group of registrants followed by those rising 4th - 6th. The number of junior high and high school participants continues to grow as children who have been in the program over the years rise to these grades and stay with us over the summer.
A theme for next year has already been selected and we are brainstorming ways to make the Summer Reading Program really appealing and exciting for the youngsters—especially since we hope that next year we will be working out of the new library!
Submitted by:
Judy King-Edmeade
Friends Summer Reading Program Coordinator
August 18, 2009
