This was my first time visiting the public library in Warwick, NY. I choose this location because growing up I frequently spent time at the library in Newburgh. I have vivid and wonderful memories of checking out books, and participating in the Reading Challenge they offered every summer.
I had the pleasure of interviewing, Karen Lee, who is a librarian overseeing both the Children and Teen Programs. Through my interview, I was able to learn about the funding, events, and programs offered throughout the year at the Albert Wisner Library. This year’s theme was “A Universe of Stories” and the Teen Events I found followed suit with this idea.
The library was inviting, and the children’s area was carefully decorated to reflect the year’s theme. I was able to learn about the vast student participation within the various programs offered at the library.
Karen also gave me a little of her background, she is a retired teacher who worked at a private school teaching Secondary English. She offered wonderful experiences of writing with art at Storm King, and how she was able to bring her students there to do the same one a week for an entire trimester. You could tell from speaking with her that she had a love and passion for literacy and writing. As of this year, she is the coordinator for both the Children’s & Teen Programs and it was her idea to merge to two.
One of many resources available, Karen allowed me to keep this newsletter that was given out to many children at the beginning of the Summer Program. It outlines the various programs that are offered, ways to earn badges and prizes based on their participation. She also informed me that 399 children under the age of 11 were signed up for the Summer Reading Program! (I guessed 50).
The library offers some of the following:
- Tech/Computer programs
- JackBox – a game similar to Kahoot
- Arts & Crafts
- Fun Programs – includes a wide range of activities
- Kick Off Party – At the beginning of the summer
- Student Advisory Committee – student led
- Tutoring
- Reading Programs
- Children’s Book Fair in October
7/27/19, Galaxy Bath Bomb Event – This was the event that I was able to see during my visit to the Albert Wisner Library. While the librarian told me she had 10 teens signed up for the program, this one young lady showed up at 2pm and ready to go. The program allowed for up to 16 students to participate, and she mentioned this was a normal occurrence depending on the event. Her interactions with the child who showed up for this event were kind and familiar, and my guess is that she interacts often with many of the teens who frequent the programs. Creating the bath bombs was a very hands out activity, with Karen offering advice, her opinions, and some guidance throughout. The teen who attended was very excited and enthusiastic about the activity.
Attending this event, left me wanting more. I was hoping to by chance see some of my students from last year. With more time, I definitely would have returned to the library to see what else the Teen program had to offer. I think this a valuable resource for many children, as a means for friendship, community, education, and much more. I told Karen that I would like to do more with promoting the programs that the library has to offer, in any way I can. I am eager to tell some of my students about the endless possibilities, and maybe attend some events myself during this upcoming year.
What I’ve learned from this experience:
While I thought I knew my students, having made an attempt to see them throughout the school year outside of my classroom, this project really showed me just how little I really know. The community has a lot to offer and students have a life outside of school (who would have thought, although I remind them constantly about mine).
The community has so much to offer these children, and as Karen said it, “Warwick is a very unique community. They value literacy, arts, and learning.” While I thought I knew this about Warwick, I never knew the lengths or opportunities available outside of the Middle School and my experiences there. I knew my students participated in sports, can be very brilliant, lived very active lives, value family, and are more than I get to see. It never occurred to me to consider their lives even further removed from the school — their home lives, participation in the community, sports, and everyday life (or summer).
With this experience and interviewing my colleague, I’ve learned that Warwick is more diverse than I initially considered. I wonder what other programs, events, or activities are available within the community on a yearly basis. What is their willingness or desire to be apart of these activities? Do they know about the diverse programs offered at the library? Would they be interested in participating in certain things, what about others? What can these students enlighten me to that I don’t know about? It is their community, they should be involved however they see fit.
I hope that as this new school year begins, I can keep these ideas in mind. I hope to find ways to incorporate community into my classroom, and learn more about the Warwick community. I’m interested to see what programs my students might be participating in or interested in participating in. I have a new view on my classroom and the community as an additional resource.
ECLInstitute - HVWP 2019-2020 