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Books make great bingo prizes at Newport library event
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
It could have been the luck of the Irish, the luck of the draw or both, but whatever was in the air worked favorably for 9-year-old Janiah Baty, as evidenced by her growing stack of reading material.
“My favorite book is ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid,’” the Horizon Science Academy third-grader said, referring to the main part of a series of satirical fiction books by Jeff Kinney about a boy and the struggles and travails he endures in middle school.
Janiah took home five books that she selected, courtesy of having won several games during Wednesday’s Family Bingo Night at the Newport Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 3730 Market St., on the South Side.
Janiah and her brother, 7-year-old Jaheim Parks, a Williamson Elementary School first-grader, were among several children who participated in the 45-minute fun-filled series of St. Patrick’s Day-themed bingo games.
The object for the youngsters was to get four covered squares in a row on their cards. Instead of the traditional bingo numbers, these friendly competitions consisted of items such as colored shamrocks, leprechauns, cartoon characters, an Irish flag and a green T-shirt, cupcake, hat and bow that five-year librarian Cyndi Hickman held up.
“Reading, computers and getting movies are the three main things we do,” Renee Hightower, Jaheim and Janiah’s mother, said about the family’s typical visits to the library.
Joining in the series of games were siblings A’Nylia Howell, 4, and her 6-year-old sister, A’Myra Howell, both of whom also won several prizes for their efforts. Also sharing in the good times was 7-year-old Cenni Patterson.
As much fun as the bingo event brought to the youngsters and their parents, it also was another entertaining way to try to make the children further develop an understanding of and appreciation for what the library has. In addition, books, compact discs and other offerings for adults also are age-appropriate and available to young people, Hickman noted.
“When we bring them in for games and give prizes to kids who have never been here before, we’re introducing them to the setup, and that makes them feel comfortable,” she said. “We want kids to meet us and feel comfortable to come back in.”