[Publib] RE: Thoughts on library program from a retired teacher

[Miriam Bobkoff]

"Roxanne Rissanen" <r.rissanen at cityssm.on.ca> wrote:
> ...I think
> it is important to remember that reading for enjoyment is a cornerstone
> for a lifelong love of learning.  It is so incredibly important for
> children to be able to develop a love of reading just for fun - not for
> school and not for a report.

Thank you, Roxanne. 

I have been reading this thread, and kept quiet up to now since I am not a
children's librarian. But here it is: I think that it's a TERRIBLE idea to
associate summer reading with having-to-do-work or being-tested (i.e. make a
report, however brief or verbal, before getting the incentive prize). The
child who has to cheat to get their dinosaur sticker (or whatever) has anyway
already learned the key lesson--that reading is a desirable and pleasurable
activity for many people. And by being in the program at all, they have
demonstrated that they wish it were true for them too.

I myself read all the time for pleasure. On the DorothyL mystery readers
listserv, authors often offer copies of their books to people who'd be willing
to read it and post a review. I've learned never to ask for one of these
copies, however much I'm looking forward to reading a particular book: because
knowing I have to DELIVER A MINI-REVIEW completely obstructs my ability to
just kick back and enjoy.

I'm not a childrens librarian, but I don't think we should create that kind of
obstruction for all the kids in a program in order to filter out one or two
who are hoping for a prize they haven't 'earned'. 

On DorothyL I sometimes sign myself "Reader and the servant of readers".

Miriam Bobkoff             personal: mbobkoff at cybermesa.com
Santa Fe Public Library    work: mkbobkoff at ci.santa-fe.nm.us
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