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It’s storytime
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
Molly Durkin, 4, works on her Valentine mouse after Valentine storytime at the Girard Free Library Wednesday.
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
Maria Selak, childrens librarian at the Girard Free Library, donned hearts to help illustrate the Valentine’s Day theme of storytime Wednesday at the library. Children also got to make a craft and get a snack.
girard free library
Update
The Girard Free Library, 105 E. Prospect St., Girard, will benefit from the passage of the 1.5-mill operating levy for the library. The first-time-ever levy, on the November 2010 ballot, was passed by city residents.
New hours: Beginning March 1, the library will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays.
Coming: Ebooks that may be downloaded to Ipads and computers will be available March 1. Patrons can access the ebooks through the web site, www.girard.lib.oh.us.
Storytimes: 6:30 p.m. Mondays for families; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays for preschool age, 4 years old, though younger children may attend; and 10:30 a.m. Thursday for toddlers, 2-3 years old. At 11 a.m. on the first and third Fridays of the month, baby time is scheduled. No registration is required for storytimes.
Sewing group: Needle’s Eye Sewing Club is geared to 6- to 12-year-olds and meets from 4 to 5 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Maria Selak, children’s librarian, said the activity also incorporates related books. Registration is required.
Crafts: Sessions are 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays for participants up to 12 years old. No registration is required.
Contact information: Call the library at (330) 545-2508 or visit its web site.
Fostering appreciation of books and desire to read a top priority at library
By LINDA M. LINONIS
GIRARD
Storytime is happy time coupled with learning at the Girard Free Library.
Maria Selak, children’s librarian at the library, engaged participants in storytime on Wednesday with the song, “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
Happiness was echoed in a Valentine’s Day theme in the books, “Valentine’s Day at the Zoo, “The Great Valentine’s Day Surprise” and “Be My Valentine - Peter Rabbit” along with decorations, crafts and a snack.
Selak clearly loves her work with children, and fostering an appreciation of books and desire to read is a top priority. In the children’s area, books share shelf space with stuffed animals, some of them puppets, who “assist” at storytime when a rabbit, dog or tiger is the subject. There’s also a puppet theater, steps to sit on and read and tables and chairs.
Terry D’Angelo of Liberty brought her 3-year-old granddaughter, Iris Murray, daughter of Lee and Annie Muray of Girard, to storytime. “Mrs. Selak is really wonderful with the children,” she said. “She always has books, songs, crafts on the theme.”
D’Angelo said books and reading are valued by her family and she wanted Iris to develop that appreciation.
Annette Stuhldreher of McDonald also brought her 3-year-old granddaughter, Hailey Levine, who is visiting from Hiram, Ga. “When we get home, she wants to call Mom and Dad [Brooke and Steve Levine] and tell them about storytime,” Stuhldreher said. Stuhldreher described the children’s programs as “excellent” and something her granddaughter eagerly anticipates.
Melanie Klockner of McDonald brought her children, Brady, 3, and Gracie, 1, because she wants them to “develop an appreciation of reading and interest in books.” She said they usually come weekly to storytime.
Paul Skruck of McDonald said 4-year-old granddaughter, Molly, “likes to interact with the other kids.” Molly said she liked the books and crafts.
These and other programs for students and adults create a welcoming atmosphere.
Rose Ann Lubert, library director, said the passage of a library levy in November 2010, will help the library’s operation.
But, she noted, she is proceeding cautiously when it comes to finances. The library’s 2011 budget is $800,000 and that includes about $216,000 to be generated by the 1.5-mill levy. “We’ve been told to expect a 15 percent cut in state funding in July,” she said. Three employees who recently retired weren’t replaced and three part-time workers were laid off last year because of state budget cuts.