WITH school back in session, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library has concluded its summer reading program, a time that brought people of all ages together to read.
Hundreds of children — encouraged by their parents or guardians — participated in the program from June to August.
“We just wanted to promote literacy,” said JKPL technical services librarian Beth Demapan in an interview with Variety.
The program included various reading challenges, with the top readers garnering a number of prizes.
This year’s theme was “Oceans of Possibilities.”
“We have a theme every year. The theme last year was ‘Tails and Tales.’ This year, it’s ‘Oceans of Possibilities,’ so [participants] explored all things about the ocean,” said Demapan.
For teens and adults, package-to-go prizes were given. Once they completed their activities — primarily reading on their own — they were eligible to spin a raffle wheel and collect a prize of their choice from a selection curated by the library staff.
Families were also encouraged to read together, with prizes awarded to a family of readers who read more than 120 books collectively throughout the program.
The local libraries also had story time on Saturday mornings, encouraging the littlest of readers to sit in and listen to a story read by a special guest reader.
Story time incorporated other activities such as music and movement, as well as arts and crafts.
The library likewise featured a special guest musician for its “Music in My Library” segment right before story time.
“We just wanted to promote music literacy. We’re all connected through music. Our listeners thrive on music, especially lullabies. It helps babies’ and children’s motor skills and cognitive development. It’s just something that’s beneficial for them, so we incorporated it into our program,” Demapan said.
The program included computer classes during which participants availed themselves of the library’s virtual learning resources.
The library also went mobile, taking the program to community members through the JKPL Book Mobile, visiting several villages throughout the month of July.
The program also participated in this year’s Liberation Day Parade, hoping to further promote the summer reading program.
“We’re just happy that kids and teens are reading. Any way that we can promote literacy, that’s what we wanted to achieve this summer,” said Demapan.
JKPL thanked its numerous sponsors for making the summer reading program possible.
This year’s sponsors are 670 Rock Steady, Bank of Guam, Bridge Capital LLC, Chong’s Corporation, D&Q International Distributors, Docomo Pacific Saipan, E-Land Group, First Hawaiian Bank, 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 Inc., Northern Marianas Housing Corp., Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Pacific Advisory Services, Pacific Trading Company, Priority Care, Saipan & Northern Islands Municipal Council, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Office of the Governor, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Rep. Sheila Babauta, House Minority Leader Angel Demapan, Rep. Roy A. Ada, Rep. Leila Staffler, House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul, Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan, Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero, Sen. Karl King-Nabors, Sen. Teresita Santos, and U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
JKPL closed on Saturday
Due to the 2022 Labor Day holiday, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.
For more information, go to www.cnmilib.org/, like/follow JKPL’s Facebook page @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Instagram @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Tik Tok @jkpl670, Twitter @JoetenKiyu, and YouTube channel.
You may also call (670) 235-7323/7322 (READ).
JKPL is open from Tuesday to Thursday, 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. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Holidays.
