Cape, Jackson libraries receive state grants for summer reading programs

Cape Girardeau Public Library and Riverside Regional Library system will have summer reading programs this year, thanks in part to grants announced by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

Riverside Regional Library’s grant application was written last fall by the Jackson branch’s children’s librarian, Lynn Farrow, said director Jeff Trinkle.

“It’s something we do every year,” Trinkle said. “It’s great for us, helps us pay for any programs and things like that. I know she has a lot lined up this year.”

The $11,956 grant will be used for an eight-week summer reading program.

“Having grants available to us certainly alleviates some of our cost,” Trinkle said.

The summer reading program would cost between $15,000 and $20,000, Trinkle said, which includes not only the program setup but also contracts with other people. A magician might come in one day, or an animal handler.

“Many other people take place in this,” he said. “It’s not free but certainly provides a good program at a relatively low cost.”

Trinkle said between promotion, books and prizes, the cost of such a program can be higher than expected.

“We could always scale it down, but people really enjoy the variety of what we offer,” he said.

Participating children keep track of how many books they’re reading, and how many prizes a child receives is based on that, Trinkle said.

With money from the state, he said, the program they offer can be more robust.

“That’s what it’s all about: promoting literacy, making it fun for children. That’s where the real benefit is as far as what we get from the state,” he said.

Trinkle said this year’s theme is Build a Better World.

“We’re doing some programs on the environment,” he said.

Farrow also will be able to hire a part-time worker to help with the program, Trinkle said.

“One of the best ways to engage children and young people in their local library is through summer library programs,” Ashcroft said in a news release. “The benefits of summer reading have been known for decades. Summer programs like the one at Riverside Regional Library help people of all ages, but for younger people in particular, summer programs combat learning loss, improve vocabulary and often lead to higher student achievement.”

The Missouri State Library approved 89 grant applications for fiscal year 2017, distributing $718,229 in federal awards to Missouri libraries, according to a news release from Ashcroft’s office.

Cape Girardeau Public Library is another recipient of these funds that will go to its summer reading program and other offerings, said library director Betty Martin.

“Sharon Anderson, our youth services coordinator, applies for summer reading club grant and has for probably the last 15 years,” Martin said.

Martin said the library offers programs for infants through teen years and some adult programs as well.

“This year’s grant will help pay for additional staffing and materials,” Martin said.

Two to three daily programs from June 1 through July are offered, Martin said.

“Most programming is to help enhance literacy skills, obviously, and Sharon’s been doing more and more with programs for technology, teaching coding skills and several weeks of art programs to help introduce kids to different art techniques and artists,” she sid.

Story times for infants and young children are another offering, Martin said, as are programs helping with skills such as team building.

“There are lots of activities, and yes, we rely on this funding every year to help staff and buy materials,” Martin said.

Martin said the grants are important because while probably 92 percent of the library’s budget comes from property taxes that keeps the lights on and staff paychecks covered, but “for us to offer enhanced programs, we rely on grant money.”

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

1997 E. Jackson Boulevard, Jackson, Mo.

711 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.