LEARNING
have access to their resources ,” says Caitlin Siciliano , Mahwah ’ s children ’ s librarian .“ They provide athemeand clip art , but each library gets to interpret and run it in their own way .”
Mahwah ’ slibrary has kids log their reading online to get points based on how many pages or books they ’ ve read . “ When theyhit aprize point they get anotificationtelling them they ’ ve won something and they can come to the library to pick it up ,” Siciliano says . “ But there ’ s not acertain number of books kids have to read . It ’ s about settingpersonal goals .”
And those personal goals are what keeps the program exciting , Sicilianobelieves . “ Kids get so much satisfactionfrom setting goals and reaching them ,” she says . “ And children really do love reading , so they naturally want to participate in something that nurtures that .”
West Milford children ’ s librarian Theresa McArthur runs apopular Winter Reading Clubfor her school-aged children , where kids read books from five categories , including one published the year they were born , one about their favorite topic and amystery book . Eachchild gives McArthur areportonthe books they ’ ve completed , which enters them into adrawing to win tickets to a show at Morristown ’ s Mayo Performing Arts Center .
The motivationsfor joiningthe challenge , she feels , are mixed . “ Some kids just get excited about the incentives but Itrulythink most of the kids who join really love to read ,” says McArthur , who believesthe key to getting kids reading is not in the prizes but instead starts at home .
“ Parents who prioritize reading and bring their kids to the library are the real reason why these programsare popular , because without that guidance those kids wouldn ’ t be here , whetherthere are prizes or not ,” McArthur says . “ I really believe kids love the library programsbecause they have parents who encourage them to read .” ●
FIVE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOURKIDS TO READ
• Make reading a family affair : Reading together is a powerful motivator for children .
• Sneak it in under theradar : Set your TV to closed-captioning or leave kids little notes to find throughout the day .
• Make reading fun : Create book-related activities like little games and mini-plays based on the stories .
• Create a chart : Let your kids record their achievements and build a sense of accomplishment .
• Talk about books : Tellyour kids about books you love , books you think they ’ ll love and even let them write aletter to their favorite author .
From ReadingRockets . org
“ THELIBRARYEVENTSOFFERASENSEOF COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN ’ T GET FROM SOCIAL MEDIA .”
Ashley Loria
Ridgewood library children ’ s department supervisor
WINDU JEDI / GETTY IMAGES / ISTOCKPHOTO
26 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2017 | ( 201 ) FAMILY 201magazine . com