Serving Cannon Beach, Tolovana, and Arch Cape
Library working to promote summer reading
Free library cards for students, more children’s programs being scheduled
In an effort to promote reading, the Cannon Beach Library is offering free yearlong library cards for students.
Dick Frank, library manager, said the offering is intended to signal an increased focus on student reading and finding ways to encourage children to visit the library in general.
“The board has made a commitment that in the future one of the things it wants to focus on is children’s programs,” he said. “This is the first year we’re offering free student cards annually. Last year we offered free student cards just for the summer.”
Classes of elementary students could be seen trekking from school to the library several weeks ago, for field trips to help students become acquainted with the book collection, check-out process and library’s location for use throughout the summer months. Cate Blakesley, third grade teacher, said she hoped students also returned with something else — namely a book.
“My primary focus with the field trip is getting library cards into their hands and getting them to check out a book,” she said. “Because if they do that, they’ll have to return it and when they do that, they might as well check out another one.”
Blakesley said “summer reading loss” is a documented phenomenon where students who read little or not at all during summer months lose a significant amount of the literacy they just learned in school.
“The more actual minutes you’re doing it, the better you get,” she said of reading. “Here at the school we focus on time spent reading.” To help further promote the importance of continued reading throughout the summer, Blakesley, an Arch Cape resident, is planning to volunteer once a month at the library during the summer. She will read and help children check out books and “promote good library usage” by her presence.
Blakesley will be at the library from 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 30, July 21 and Aug. 18.
Frank said besides the Saturday story times the library offers weekly at 11:30 a.m., new events are planned with a focus on children. On Aug. 30, Dragon Theater Puppets will offer a show at 1 p.m. A clown is scheduled to make an appearance in November.
Applications for the free student library cards can be picked up at the library, 131 N. Hemlock St. With the cards, students are allowed two books and one video at a time.
The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call (503) 436-1391.