DPL builds community through summer reading program
Claire Kandle, youth services manager at the Dover Public Library, has created programs for kids that get them out in the community where they can serve others.
Children grade 1-5 in the Tuscarawas County area will be able to find out what it means to be an active, helpful part of the community through the Dover Public Library series of events tied to the summer reading program.
Claire Kandle, youth services manager at the library, said two of the programs for kids this summer are about getting them “involved in the community and kind of giving them the experience of giving something back and having the satisfaction of doing that being the reward. They can try that out and see what that experience feels like.”
One of the programs the library is hosting is “Down by the River.”
“This will take us to the Dover Riverfront Park,” Kandle said.
With park development ongoing, Kandle wanted see if there was something kids could do to contribute. She coordinated with the city for the kids to plant flowers around three lamp posts at the park. This part of the program is scheduled for Saturday, July 21 from 2-4 p.m. Kandle said the soil around the posts will already be prepared. The children will only need to do the planting.
The day will begin with story time. “We may have some songs but definitely a story. We’ll have some refreshments for them after doing the work,” Kandle said. “There is a pollinator program in the works for next year, and we’ll probably be a part of that as well.”
According to Kandle, these things contribute ecologically, they help beautify the community, and the participating kids will be able to see and better understand what they do is important.
“It’s good to get out, get their hands dirty and help others. I think that grows better people,” Kandle said.
The library will welcome as many kids who would like to participate. A simple sign-up at the library is all that is needed. There is no fee to participate.
In August a kids’ choir will perform at Hennis Care Center in Dover. “We’re putting together the choir now. We’ll have a program about the origins of some very familiar folk songs, like ‘My Darling Clementine’ or ‘She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain.’ We’ll play guitar and sing the songs, so the kids will see the satisfaction they can bring to others by being a part of something like that,” Kandle said.
The performance at Hennis Care Center is scheduled for Aug. 8. Sign-up is available at the Dover Public Library for this part of the library’s summer program as well. Children k-5 may participate.
“There are 5:30 p.m. rehearsals scheduled,” Kandle said. “Kids have to attend at least two including a dress rehearsal to participate in the performance.”
Both programs are open to any kids from the area. “They don’t have to be Dover residents,” Kandle said.
Both programs fall into the library’s summer reading program with the theme, “Librarypalooza, All Things That Rock!”
“This can mean books rock, science rocks, music rocks, geology rocks, any of those things,” Kandle said.
For more information call the Dover Public Library at 330-343-6123.
The Dover Public Library is located at 525 N. Walnut St. in Dover.