Reading For The Win At North Fork Library

By Sarah Lingenfelter —

NORTH FORK — The 2016 North Fork Library Summer Reading Program concluded with four deserving grand prize readers.

The theme this year emphasized athletics and achievement and the grand prizes reflected those objectives.

From the children’s program, brothers Travis and Daniel Baker each won a brand new bicycle (photo above) for reading the most minutes throughout the summer, their motivation and success being a product of brotherly competition.

From the 3rd-4th grade category, Travis read 1,325 minutes during the seven-week program and from the 1st-2nd grade category, Daniel read 870 minutes.

From the teen program, Collin Coleman read 6,168 minutes and Jayci Coon read 2,905 minutes to gain a new Kindle Fire each.

On a more serious note, we did not have a grand prize winner for the youngest group of the children’s program, four years old to kindergarten. This was due to a substantial shortage of children registered in that category and a lack of the necessary attendance (four out of the seven programs).

One of the main goals the Madera County Library has set and striven to meet is to provide resources for parents with children up to five years of age, and to provide programs for that age group in order to foster the learning process through reading.

We encourage all parents with toddlers and young children to sign up for a library card (I.D. and proof of address is all that is required) to make use of the books and DVDs we have available and to take advantage of the free library programs such as story time and the summer reading program.

This summer, Karen Weaver of the Oakhurst First 5 office entertained our youngest book worms with fun and educational stories, crafts, and games. This program provided a time for toddlers and parents to socialize and each child received a free board book and stuffed animal after each program.

Karen will continue her Tuesday morning classes at North Fork Elementary when the school year starts. Visit www.first5madera.net for more information.

The North Fork Library would like to thank the organizations of North Fork, the businesses of our mountain area, and the individuals (donors and volunteers) for supporting the summer reading program each year and for making a difference in your community.

We would like to give special thanks to our photographer, Lluvia Moreno and her sister Luna, both students at Minarets High School and dedicated program volunteers for the past four summers.

(Photos provided by the author of this piece Sarah Lingenfelter, Branch Manager at the North Fork Library)