[Publib] Thoughts on library program from a retired teacher

[Dusty Gres]

The biggest and most important difference between a public library,
particularly the library summer program, and school is that we stress the
important of reading as fun; reading as entertainment; reading as
relaxation; reading for the joy of reading; reading as its own reward.
Questions? Book reviews? Writing a paragraph?  Please.  That is what school
is for. The school's job is to make reading work.
Do incentives help?  Sometimes. Do we need to worry if someone is faking it
or not telling the truth?  No.  Because if that is so -- if the person finds
it important to deal with the numbers rather than the action -- reading is
not fun to them anymore and we have failed. There is a far greater problem
that we should deal with rather than worry about a child getting a free
hamburger, or whatever. 
I don't like to use numbers as incentives -- I like to say -- did you read?
If so, that's sufficient.  Every little bit of time and every page adds up
and if there is no stress, no strain, no questions, no testing, just --
reading, then we have made a little bit of difference.
I have also found that when we have hit the right button, they will tell us
about the book or their favorite part because it just can't be bottled up.
That's when I know that I have found that reader his or her book -- it
wasn't the prize that caught them, it was the book.
Keep the questions in the classroom. Just let the kids read in the library.



Dusty Gres, Director 
Ohoopee Regional Library System
Hdq: Vidalia-Toombs County Library
610 Jackson Street
Vidalia, GA 30474
PH: (912) 537-9283
FAX: (912) 537-3735
EMAIL: gresd at ohoopeelibrary.org
WEB: http://www.ohoopeelibrary.org