South Windsor Library a Place to Love and Learn

Reading doesn’t take a break for the summer at the South Windsor Public Library, but with school just a day away, the library’s Kid Zone is gearing up for its fall programs.

The Kid Zone, overseen by Children’s Librarian Sandy Westbrook, isn’t just a fun place to access a vast array of books and keep the little ones happy for a few hours – though it is that.

The children’s department, which occupies the lower level of South Windsor Public Library, also provides educational programs designed to engage the town’s younger readers and support what students are learning in school.

This year the department is changing out some of its material to reflect the Common Core State Standards’ emphasis on nonfiction. It’s just one of the ways the department’s offerings have changed to meet the needs of the community.

“When I first started [about 7 years ago], we did programs for age 2 and 3-5. It was seen as serving preschool kids. But so much has changed,” Westbrook said Monday.

First, there was an increased emphasis on serving teens, next on school-aged kids. One staff member took over teen activities and Westbrook began a few discussion groups for elementary school kids.

“We started a mother-daughter book group and that was really well received,” she said.

Now, Common Core tests, which South Windsor students will face in 2014, require students to read texts and then discuss them. Some of the Kids Zone groups will offer the opportunity to practice their reading comprehension, including a book talk group for grades 1 through 3 with fun activities based around a story. Grades 3-5 can read around the world in the upcoming Book Trek.

But the Kid Zone’s not about testing. Largely, it’s about teaching kids to love the library. They offer the Lego Club for ages 5 and up and Pokemon Club for all ages - just for fun.

“Our mission statement is not only to provide books but to make the library a destination,” Westbrook said. “It’s free for parents and something fun for kids to do. We make it a welcoming place for all ages.”

The Fall Children’s Programs by age:

• 6- 23 months: Bouncing Babies
• 24-36 months: Terrific Twos Learn the Alphabet
• 3-5 years: Reading Roundup
• Grades 1-3: Lulu and the Duck in the Park
• Grades 3-5: Book Trek 
• Young adult programs for grades 6-12, call 860-644-5404.

For more information, visit the South Windsor Public Library in person or online.