Library’s summer reading program encourages child literacy, giving back

The South Cheatham County Public Library concluded its summer reading program last week, marking over 450 hours read and nearly $500 donated to local nonprofits.

This summer’s “All Together Now” theme focused on the idea of community and friendship, and was the first year that the library donated $1 to a South Cheatham nonprofit for every hour read.

“That was inspired by the theme of all together now and the importance of community,” said Sarah Schultz, the library’s director.

For every hour read, $1 was donated to one of five local nonprofits: Cheatham County Animal Control, The Ark, Meals on Wheels, Harpeth River State Park or the library. Cheatham County Animal Control received the most donations from the kids, with a total of $183.

As of July 27, 453 hours were read and $453 were donated to local nonprofits.

For the months of June and July, school-aged children are encouraged by the library to read 15 to 20 minutes per day, and for every hour read they will earn a ticket. The child is then able to place the ticket in the nonprofit bucket of their choice – donating $1 to that organization. The funding for the donations comes from Friends of the Library.

Every Thursday morning, starting on June 15, the library held a different dress-up event that focused on the theme of community and friendship. Every week, 45 parents and children – preschool aged all the way up to 12 – would squeeze into the room to learn from local magicians and master gardeners.

“The theme for this year was all together now, so we really focused on the importance of community and friendship,” Schultz said. “We had five programs, starting it on June 15.”

For the first week, the library invited Cody Clark – a magician, comedian and disability advocate – to curate a show specifically aligned with the theme of “All Together Now.”

“That was really great. The kids really enjoyed that,” Schultz said, adding that the magician was her personal favorite program day because “he weaved in the fact that he has autism and how he experiences certain things differently and informed the kids about that in a really cool, gentle, funny way.”

Thenext week, the library invited community member and master gardener Stephanie Walker to come in and talk about gardening. Kids potted some plants and the idea was that they can give them to their friends, family and community members.

For the third week, the library set up different STEM game and mystery stations. According to Schultz, that was really focused on the importance of working together with your family and with all the other kids at the summer reading program.

Janet Walker, the library’s previous director, came back on July 6 for a cooking program, where the kids got to make pizzas.

“That program was really informative for the parents too because she discussed the importance and benefits of cooking with your kids,” Shultz said.

On July 13, the library had a performance by Pegram Classical Conversations Drama Club, which was also about the importance of friendship, Schultz said, and the kids did a little craft after that.

For the final day, the library held its summer reading finale party to celebrate another successful summer of reading. There was a DJ and a dance party, as well as a lot of painting.

“The kids painted birdhouses that we're going to hang up around the library,” Schultz said.

The library head said that this summer’s theme focused on giving back to the community was very successful, and they plan to have reading programs in the future that will allow kids to donate to a local nonprofit of their choice.

Schultz emphasized the importance of the annual program is “literacy and keeping kids interested in reading in the summer when they're not in school and reading things that they aren't necessarily required to read.”

“We also encourage non-traditional forms of reading – so, listening to audiobooks, having your parents read to you,” Schultz continued, adding, “Socialization as well, because there's so many kids that come in and it's really cool to see them interact and make friends that they'll have for years and years.”