(JKPL) — From June 11 to July 31, 2021, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library distributed more than 477 free Packages to Go which included distributing over 1,908 S.T.E.A.M. learning activities, supplies, and a Reading Passport to families of the 2021 Summer Reading Program on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Families visited the library and checked out award-winning books — Newbery, Caldecott Honor books, Coretta Scott King books, books turned into movies, AV2 Enhanced Media books, virtual learning resources available from our website, www.cnmilib.org — Gale Cengage, EBSCOhost, and Baker & Taylor Axis 360 e-books, and so much more! Families enjoyed the self-paced learning, Package to Go, onsite activities, books/e- books, and virtual learning resources available to keep them actively learning and engaged throughout the summer.
Onsite activities consisted of Saturday Celebrity Storytime featuring the following special guests: local author and navigator Lino Olopai, 2021 Summer Reading Program Leader Sponsor: Bank of Guam, and community partner Saipan Cares for Animals with Executive Director Beth Pliscou along with Bazzie and friends. A special book launch and read aloud from the Lady Diann Torres Foundation in partnership with the Girl Scouts of the Northern Mariana Islands and Stellar Marianas for the children’s book “Kareran Sirena” tinige by Serenity Fujihira, Emma Sablan, and Ariah Villagomez and guided by Miss Marianas 2019 Shannon Sasamoto.
Meanwhile, Virtual Storytime featured U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Brown Tree Snake Coordinator Trey Dunn and local bee keeper Angel Hart Cabrera of Angel’s Home Garden. Children and Teen onsite S.T.E.A.M. activities included “How to Make Goo,” “How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag,” and “How to Tie Dye a Shirt.” This summer, Teens participated in virtual Reading Challenges through Niche Academy, book reviews, volunteer opportunities, and writing events available at www.cnmilib.org
The Bookmobile Outreach Services continued promoting the Summer Reading Program with Package to Go at the Fernando M. Benavente Memorial Library located in San Antonio from Aug. 3 to 28, 2021. Biba, Bookmobile!
The JKPL’s Package-to-Go was made available to the first 300 registered participants by category prioritizing our underserved and underprivileged children. 7,720 meals to go were provided by the CNMI Public School System and were distributed daily to participating families. Thousands of incredible prizes were distributed every week to children who completed their activities.
Here are a few of the many amazing responses from families about the learning and reading activities for the 2021 Summer Reading Program “ Tails and Tales”:
• “It was fun! I love it!”
• “For both adults and kids struggling during the pandemic, this is an excellent way to cope. Very soothing and calming.”
• “My child enjoyed the e-book experience!
• “Fun arts and crafts activity for kids that is connected to a fun movie.”
• “My daughter has autism and this lion activity kept her get engaged because it was hands on and super fun!”
• “I like this experiment because I learned something new.”
• “This was a fun activity.”
• “Mom and son cooperate with each other to do something, it is nice.”
• “I had fun doing this activity.”
• “The activity was really fun, and I like how it’s similar to how a rocket lifts off.”
• “This was a bit hard for the little but with help, we both, learned a lot! Can’t wait to practice it some more!”
• “Too much fun!”
• “I like reading at the library.”
• “Library staffs are friendly and attentive.”
• “Isaiah enjoyed curling the antenna of the butterfly, and he helps his sister to do it.
• “Thank you.
• “I liked this activity cause it’s a very fun project to do.”
• “I love reading all the books!”
• “It was an amazing activity.”
• “Makes reading and crafts fun.
• “This activity is great! I love it!”
• “This activity is very fun and helps me learn!”
• “I like the library because I like to read.”
• “I love doing things in the library.”
• “Thank you, I really enjoyed the program!”
• “Thank you very much for giving MJ a good opportunity to read the books during the summer!!!”
• “I like how we did the activities.”
• “I had so much fun doing this activity.”
• “It’s fun doing activities with my child.”
• “Joeten Kiyu Public Library is fun!”
• “This was my favorite activity because painting is fun.”
• “Thanks for the activities.”
• “Super helpful, friendly staff always ready to assist patrons. Great opportunity to learn (both adults/kids)!”
• “Another great STEM project! Keep them coming!”
• “I love the library.”
• “This program is really fun and I think the library should do more of this.”
• “Participating in this summer program helped encourage and enhanced my child’s determination to read! Totally sharing our experience with others!”
• “Very good to encourage kids to finish their goals.”
• “Grateful for JKPL team for this program.”
• “It’s fun to learn new words by reading.”
• “My son enjoyed attending this program, and he looks forward in getting so much motivation to read book a lot through this activity. Thank you so much!!”
• “Thank you. I was having fun. We love it. Next year again.”
• “Great learning for my kids.”
• “This helped me learn to love reading and enjoy reading.”
• “You encourage me to learn and read more.”
• “Thank you, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, for the fun activity I did during the summer and the prizes. You guys make me want to read more.”
• “Great summer activity that is self-paced.”
