Big Turnout for Summer Reading Program

“Fifteen years and growing”

The big question for parents whose children are out of school and needing something stimulating for the summer, is where to go and what to do. The answer for many mothers is at La Feria’s Bailey H. Dunlap Memorial Library.

For fifteen years, this up-graded, beautiful public library has played host to dozens of children and parents who come to take advantage of the annual the Summer Reading Program. The program and the services available just keep getting better and more diverse at the library for the children. “The children come for the stories,” said Lori Vogt, Librarian, “but also get introduced to our banks of brand-new computers, new books and popular publications.”

Vogt reports that the library chooses books from a wide range of interests for the youngsters who come to the program.

“The types of stories they hear read to them might be about Superheroes, Batman, real police and fireman stories. They also could include stories about animals like service animals, seeing-eye dogs and rescue animals, just to give you an idea.”

This popular program depends on volunteer readers. Many local citizens and officials have offered their time to help over the years. “This year,” Lori reports, “we had six Junior volunteer readers from La Feria High School who donated over 80 hours reading to the students. The student volunteers also took part in working with the kids in several crafts and artistic projects.” Lori added that many who volunteer to read as adults had been listeners as youngsters years ago, and know the value of this library-sponsored summer event.

To find out what the parents think of this annual event, LA FERIA NEWS asked Carina Trujillo, mother of two boys she brought to listen, how this has benefited her family.

She said, “My boys have become regular library visitors now and love to explore books about things they are interested in–I really appreciate that the Library and the City of La Feria have maintained a program like this each summer. My kids look forward to going.“

School starts in August, so the summer reading program is over. However, if you have young children and want a good program for them next summer, now you know where to go. Check with Lori Vogt at the library about next year’s schedule.