No more teachers, but plenty of books

Summer library programs are popular with students

CJ Lotz

cj.lotz@yahoo.com

Photo/ CJ Lotz. Joey Franks points to a picture while his brother Jacob reads to him in the children’s section of the library.

Kenneth Tietze is like other eight-year-old boys. He plays in the river behind his house, rides his bike and tries to “catch” butterflies by grabbing them and throwing them into a net.

But this summer, his grandmother, Lea Tietze, is making sure he doesn’t fall behind in school. By involving Kenneth in the Macon County Library’s summer programs, Lea said she wants to keep her grandson interested in reading through the warmest months.

Twice a week during the full six weeks he’ll spend with his grandma, Kenneth visits the library to hear local musicians, watch movies about books and bring home a few of his own to read.

Amy Patton, librarian and coordinator for summer activities, said the library wants to inspire kids with fresh activities (kids have watched butterflies emerge from cocoons, played with mice and walked a short nature path near the library), and encourage them to set a reading goal.

So far, Kenneth has read 10 books, including his favorite, “Dragons Don’t Throw Snowballs.”

“They blow fire, of course,” Kenneth said.

Through a fun process he and his grandmother worked out, Kenneth has already met his goal.

“I did it by taking turns reading,” Kenneth said. “I read a page and she reads a page.”

Now he’s ready to set another goal: 11 more books. To pick his next reads, he’ll judge the best books by their covers: he likes those with superheroes, trains, insects or dinosaurs.

The children’s section of the library offers fiction, non-fiction, biographies, magazines, books on tapes, DVDs and videos.

Summer programs at the library incorporate concerts, crafts, book talks and guest speakers with the books children are reading.

At one recent activity, children and adults alike enjoyed a man of many instruments—Charles Pettee. He plays mandolin, guitar, mandola and harmonica.

Pettee treated guests of all ages to a family concert, “Catch the Bluegrass Bug,” on June 23 and wove stories and jokes with his tunes.

“I can tell if they’ve caught ‘the bug’ or not if they’re all clapping and smiling at the end,” Pettee said.

Upcoming events include a book talk at 3 p.m. Wednesday, a showing of “Bee Movie” Thursday and sidewalk chalking July 7.

Later in the summer, a theatre troupe and balloon lady will visit.

Check out the library’s Web site at www.fontanalib.org or call the library at (828) 524-3600 for more information.