[Publib] Thoughts on library program from a retired teacher

[AMMON, BETTE]

Creating procedures based on the few who might take advantage is hardly
the way to instill a love for reading. Rest assured that most
participants (and the parents who bring them) in reading programs aren't
really in it for the prizes - these rewards are just minor incentives.
Most are readers are excited about coming to libraries regularly and
choosing new books each visit. And most participants ARE reading -
exercising their reading muscles, improving skills, and becoming
comfortable in the library. For those few who are receiving prizes by
deceiving - too bad for them. Let's not punish everyone.

Bette Ammon, director
Coeur d'Alene Public Library
201 E. Harrison Ave
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814-3240
Phone: (208)769-2315 | Fax: (208)769-2381
bammon at cdalibrary.org



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Dusty Gres
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 8:49 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Thoughts on library program from a retired teacher

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
 


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