(JKPL) — From June 7, 2022 to August 6, 2022, Readers of all ages from early literacy, children, teens, and adults on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota explored our CNMI libraries this summer as the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library presented this year’s summer reading program theme of an “Oceans of Possibilities.”
Team Joeten-Kiyu Public Library distributed more than 150 Free Learning Packages-to-Go to Early Literacy, Teens, and Adults which included distributing over 750 S.T.E.A.M. learning activities, supplies, and Reading Logs to families of the 2022 Summer Reading Program on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
This year, Joeten- Kiyu Public Library returned to hosting our annual summer reading onsite for more than 120 registered children (6-8 years old) and (9-12 years old) on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
JKPL distributed 5,670 free meals to children 18 years and younger in partnership with the CNMI Public School System. Over 4,580 books were read by summer reading program participants for Early Literacy, Children, Adult, and Teens on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Saipan
This year’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities,” and Team JKPL provide a free summer reading program for early literacy, children, teens, and adults at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.
Moreover, the Bookmobile and the Technology Mobile Express will conduct weekly summer reading program outreach activities to the most underserved communities on Saipan.
In celebration of Ocean’s Month, Team JKPL partnered with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Coastal Resource Management Communications for exciting and creative in-person activities such as the sand sculpture competition and special guest presentations.
Thank you to Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Coastal Resource Management Director Rich Salas, Coastal Zone Communications Coordinator/CNMI Ocean Month Co-Chair Colleen Flores, Permit Assistant/CNMI Ocean Month Co-Chair Jovahna Taitingfong, and Coral Reef Initiative Communications Coordinator Marlyn Naputi; Seafaring Traditional Program under the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture Canoe Program Coordinator John Castro with CCAC Program Specialist and Master Canoe Carver and Master Navigator Antonio and Team; Mariana Islands Nature Alliance Program Manager Jolly Cruz and team, 500 Sails Director of Community Programs Andrew Roberto and team, Special Guest Reader 2021 Miss Earth NMI Crystal Fiona Rio.
In partnership with the Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s Motheread/Fatheread CNMI, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library hosted onsite Saturday Storytime featuring LGTQ+ children’s books read aloud by special guest readers from Pride Marianas youth volunteers — Dr. Bobby Cruz and Jonathan Cabrera who read aloud two heartwarming children’s books — “Red: A Crayon’s Story” by Michael Hall and ”Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story about Gender and Friendship” by Jessica Walton; Gin Smith and Pride Marianas volunteers regaled families with the following beautiful stories: “A Tale of Two Mommies” by Vanita Oeschlager; “Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer; and “Who Are You? The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity.”
For cultural literacy, Motheread/Fatheread CNMI Parent Trainer and Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Admin Officer III Vincent C. Sablan read the children’s book in Chamorro “Guinayan Nana” by Carmen Songsong Taimanao. STEM classes for teens and adults were conducted on cricut making, paracord bracelet making, slime making, ice cream making, and so much more! Computer classes on typing and basics of computer skills classes as well as beginner classes on ukulele were held with Instructors Larry Lee and Kui Lee.
Tinian
The Tinian Public Library or TPL in partnership with the Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguigan hosted their annual summer reading program exploring “Oceans of Possibilities” with Kids’ Sea Adventure activities from June 6 to 17, 2022.
Team Tinian Public Library hosted morning workouts with the gang for health and wellness; read aloud and reading days; crunchy chalk artwork activities; ocean eco system in a box activity; recyclable sea arts and crafts; bling bling bracelet making; movie days; jellyfish puppet making; sea lantern making; special guest presentation from the Crises Counseling Program; game time; outdoor slip and slide water splash activities; and STEM crafts galore.
Throughout the summer, TPL was abuzz with energy as children and their families participated in Welcome Back to the Library Read Aloud and mini tours, read aloud arts and crafts, cultural read aloud sessions, and a National Ice Cream Social to celebrate National Ice Cream Day.
Rota
The Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Library on Rota in partnership with the Rota Mayor’s Office also hosted a “seatastic” summer reading program from July 5 to 16, 2022 which included field trips to the beach, special guest presentations, cultural classes on weaving, STEM projects, reading and writing activities, computer classes, and exploring the library’s free resources.
Saipan
From July 26 to August 5, 2022 the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library held a summer reading program at the branch library — Fernando M. Benavente Memorial Library and Community Center located in San Antonio, Saipan.
The Bookmobile and Technology Mobile Express were on hand to teach computer classes, STEM activities, reading and writing activities/challenges, cultural read alouds, and special guest presentations from Marianas Island Nature Alliance, Professor Chang Woo Sohn who performed on his double bass, and cultural classes on lei making from Instructor Jadine Hocog.
On July 13-15, 2022 and July 27-29, 2022, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library in partnership with the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation conducted weekly Bookmobile outreach services/Technology Mobile Express or TME Summer Reading Program outdoors at the Garapan Miha Housing and the Koblerville Miha Housing Basketball Courtyard area.
Bookmobile/TME mirrored the onsite programs of the JKPL which included STEM activities; computer classes; reading and writing activities; access to virtual learning resources; and reading challenges.
The Bookmobile team distributed free meals to children in partnership with the CNMI Public School System.
A completion ceremony included shave ice and cotton candy/popcorn sponsored by the Friends of the Joeten- Kiyu Public Library from Isla Shave Ice.
Participating families were rewarded with an awesome library swag including an eco-bag, gift certificates from sponsors, books, and school supplies made possible by generous sponsors.
Top Reader Awards were distributed on Saturday, August 6, 2022 to the following individuals:
• Early Literacy Top Reader went to Herman Selepeo, Robert Guerrero II, and Savannah Galvez for each reading 50 books. They were each rewarded with a library gift basket of toys, books, and school supplies from the Motheread/Fatheread CNMI program.
• Children’s Top Reader went to Sera Guerrero and Maria Guerrero for each reading 54 books. They were each rewarded with a library gift basket of school supplies from A.C. Pacific LLC (dba I Love Saipan).
• Teen Top Reader went to Jiang Yu Rong for reading 6 books. Top reader was awarded library gift bundle, library swag, and a gift certificate to 360 Revolving Restaurant.
• Adult Top Reader went to Jose Terlaje for reading 9 books. Top reader was awarded library gift bundle, library swag, and a gift certificate to 360 Revolving Restaurant.
• The Family of Readers Award went to the Deleon Guerrero family (Kyoko Guerrero, Kevin Guerrero, Maria Guerrero, and Sera Guerrero) for having read 152 books collectively over the summer. They were awarded a $250 gift certificate from Docomo Pacific Saipan and movie passes from the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-NMI State Library offers an annual free summer library program to early literacy, children, teens, and adults in the CNMI to encourage everyone to read for pleasure during the summer and to retain their reading skills.
The JKPL is a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program and partners with various community donors, sponsors, and agencies (private/public) to promote literacy during the summer.
Studies have shown that during the summer, children and teens who aren’t reading or participating in other learning activities can lose up to two months of academic skills achieved during the school year.
Participating in the Summer Reading program can help students avoid the “summer slide.” Additionally, children who see their parents and other adults in their lives reading tend to read more and build healthy reading habits.
Thank you to all the families, donors, sponsors, community partners, volunteers, and the hardworking team of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Tinian Public Library, Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Library, Fernando M. Benavente Memorial Library & Community Center, and the Bookmobile/Technology Mobile Express on a successful 2022 Summer Reading Program.
Sponsors
Thank you to our Summer Reading Program sponsors: 360 Revolving Restaurant, 670 Rocksteady, A.C. Pacific, LLC, Bank of Guam, Bridge Capital, LLC, Chong’s Corporation, D&Q International Distributors, Docomo Pacific Saipan, E-Land Group, First Hawaiian Bank, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Gold’s Gym, Hong Ye Hardware, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Latte Built Gym, J.C. Tenorio Enterprises, Joeten Motors, Joeten Superstore, Kanoa Resort, Lollipops, Lady Diann Torres Foundation, Marianas Pacific Distributors, McDonald’s of Saipan, M.S. Villagomez Incorporated, Northern Marianas Housing Corp., Oh, My Grill! (O.M.G.), Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Pacific Advisory Services, Pacific Trading Company, Priority Care, Saipan & Northern Islands Municipal Council, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguigan, Rota Mayor’s Office, Tan Siu Lin Foundation. Office of the Governor, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Rep. Sheila Babauta, Rep. Angel Demapan, Rep. Roy A. Ada, Rep. Leila Staffler, Rep. Ralph N. Yumul, Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero, Senate President Jude Hofschneider, Sen. Karl King-Nabors, Sen. Vinnie Sablan, Sen. Teresita Santos and U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
Partners
CNMI Public School System, CNMI Public School Pupil Transportation Services, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Office of the Mayor of Rota, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguigan, CNMI Department of Corrections, CNMI Department of Public Safety, NMC CREES, 4H-NMI, Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s Motheread/Fatheread CNMI, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Coastal Resource Management, 500 Sails, Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture, Marianas Pride Youth, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, 2021 Miss Earth NMI Crystal Fiona Rio, Division of Youth Services, Northern Marianas Housing Corporation, DCCA’s Child Care Development Fund, Science of Early Learning-Evergreen Learning, Youth Affairs Office, AmeriCorps Program.
Enjoy your public library’s free resources by visiting www.cnmilib.org and like/follow JKPL’s Facebook page @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Instagram @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Tik Tok @jkpl670, Twitter @JoetenKiyu, and YouTube channel.
Contact (670) 235-7323/7322 (READ) or visit your friendly Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. Hours of operation: Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.
