October 4, 2011

The research articles I have read indicate that interaction with an adult is a huge motivator to kids for reading. This has helped me to view my job differently. I read to an after school group each Monday. Yesterday, after I read to the group, a couple girls asked if we could read together. Normally, I would say yes and spend a small amount of time with them. The reason I would only spend a small amount of time is that I am so behind. We are down two staff members currently and we were spread very thin before that. But, after reading about how important a culture of reading is to motivating readers, I decided yesterday than my priorities needed an adjustment. As a librarian my goal is to help patrons gain access to materials and in the case of children, gaining access means wanting to read! I spent a blissful 20 minutes reading and listening and having a very positive experience with these two elementary girls. Several boys kept walking past and checking out what was happening. I would like to think that that 20 minutes will have some effect in each of their reading lives.