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Austintown Aftercare attracts students
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Provided at the Austintown library's after care program are games and other various activities if the students don't wish to join the group activity.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Jessica Silvestri (left) and Ellie Latyon chatted and had snacks at the Austintown library during the after care program on May 12.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Head of the program Starr Jones (left) checked in on the children that came to the after care program on May 12. Others pictured after Jones, from left, are workers Clinton Holt, Cindy Christani and Linda Kucalaba.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Many of the students that came to the Austintown library's after care program on May 12 to make crafts and play games. Pictured is Chris Gruber making a potholder.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Pictured, from left, are Mariah Harbison, Isaiah Johnson and Breylon Douglas playing with Legos during the Austintown library's after care program.
By amanda tonoli
The Austintown library has various programs for people of all ages — from babies and toddlers to adults and senior citizens.
Librarian Starr Jones heads a special program at the library dedicated to children arriving after school lets out, the Aftercare Program.
“As soon as school’s out they have to leave school property,” Jones said. “So they come here.”
Many students come to socialize, play games and wait for transportation if they don’t live close enough to walk.
Jones said they can get anywhere from 20-60 students after any given school day. The library gives them the big meeting room until 4:30 p.m. to talk, eat and play.
Puzzles and games are available on a cart in the big meeting room, where most of the students congregate.
“We try to keep them busy,” Jones said.
This program is free and despite never being advertised, it draws in a large middle school-aged crowd.
Two librarians take shifts during the program to supervise students, making themselves available for not only help with the crafts provided, but also for homework help, if necessary.
Everyday there is a craft offered, most recently students had the opportunity to make sugar scrubs, Lego projects and pot holder looms.
Once a month a former librarian, who is now an art teacher, brings art supplies in and makes paintings with the students.
Linda Kucalaba, one of the librarians helping with the Aftercare Program, said they try to make the time spent at the library fulfilling.
“Everyday we provide a different activity — a different enrichment,” Kucabala said.
Kucalaba said she makes it her mission to help them grow in this safe and fun environment.
“We welcome the kids to the library,” Kucalaba said. “We want this to be their library.”