Kansas Reads....to Preschoolers!

This is the week to read to preschoolers! Kudos to all, especially Vikki Jo Stewart, for making this project magical, inclusive and so worthwhile! As one librarian commented to me, "Having Kansans read the same book to preschoolers has been a positive to bring us together as a state..something sorely needed right now". Amen!

I was invited by the Sunnyside Elementary school in Olathe to read No Matter What to two groups of kindergarten and first grade children on the 14th. It was great! And what a nice school library. I had a chance to chat with librarian Phyllis Herbert and principal David Kearney who are both so enthusiastic about library service! After reading, I headed over to the Indian Creek branch of the Olathe Public Library to catch the last part of Kate Capp's baby Rhyme Time. What a neat program for 12-24 month olds! They were also doing "story on the spot" which gave kids the opportunity to have a story read to them by staff when they sat down on the big green spot in the middle of the library floor! Director Emily Baker introduced me around and gave me a tour of both the branch and the main library.

On Tuesday, I had the priviledge of reading to preschoolers at the Louisburg library. It was so much fun! But just like with grandchildren, after the story was read, it was great to turn the program back into the capable hands of the children's librarian, Elizabeth Ellis! Storytimes take ALOT of energy! While in Louisburg, director Kiersten Allen gave me a tour of the library and told me about some of the many projects they were undertaking. In addition to running a busy library, she is just finishing her Master's degree in Library Science - congratulations, Kiersten!