Celebrate a great book from your childhood with young readers at your public library. Volunteer there. Create an event  that supports the children’s section of your public library. For example support an annual Dr. Seuss celebration for the kids in the village at the local library. OR create an event that honors Pippi Longstocking or Harry Potter or....

Our public libraries are underutilized by the public and underfunded by struggling government budgets. Energetic book loving students who love to hang out in libraries, are needed to  infuse energy into promoting how wonderful it is for a child to embrace reading and books. The love of books, reading and libraries go hand in hand. Support your public library and get young kids into the library with fun events! This project allows you to share your love of reading with young kids new to exploring the magical world of books. When you support their favorite book with an event it strengthens their imaginations and keeps them glued to a book for the rest of their life. Help to Ignite a love of reading that lasts a lifetime. The happy memory of your favorite childhood book will always make you smile. This will give you an opportunity to  stretch your social media skills, costume design, display of promotional materials, painting and drawing of props, plus coordination with library staff.

Preparation Instruction:
Find out where your closest public library is and what the hours of operation are . Pay them a visit. Discuss their events for young readers and ask how you could be of help. Support existing events and/or create new event to fill out the library’s calendar of events. Perhaps you could also go to the elementary school close to you and ask the school librarian if you can create or support an event for the school library. If you have a book-sharing event in mind, and a creative way to introduce this to children, offer this to the librarian. Make an appointment for a date that  you will do this service. 

This is meant to be an independent project. Because you will be initiating this, you will need to be very responsible about documenting your hours and the work that you did. It Before you get started, get the approval of a teacher who will support you in this project and grant you the hours if  you meet the objectives. 

Activity Instruction:
If you are supporting an existing event, volunteer to help in some way: read out loud, shelve books, create a display, storytelling. Come on time and do what you have agreed to do. Have someone take your picture and post it to social media using the hashtag #guamservicelearning #librariesneedlove or some other appropriate hashtag. Get the librarian to verify what you did and how many hours you worked (a signed letter or certificate.)

Reflection Instruction:
In order to earn service learning hours, a reflection needs to be turned into a teacher who can input the hours into Power School. You need to address: What did you do? What did you learn? How was this an example of public service? I hope that you will feel the satisfaction of sharing your love of reading with young kids and know that you encouraged them to love reading and books. That’s always a great thing to say every chance you get..that you helped inspire young readers to love books.

Learning Standards/Objectives:
I would like to see our libraries get more outreach event support by infusing their volunteer rolls with book-loving students using their skills to promote an event. Supporting our village libraries helps to strengthen the community and creates fun, family events. It’s always good when a kid settles in with a book. 

Common Core Language Arts Standard: Speaking and Listening, 9-10- 11-12.6: Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. 

Social Studies Standard: Government and Civics: AG.4.17

Explain the importance of thoughtful and effective participation in civic life, including the following:

• Performing public service

  Name: Carlotta Leon Guerrero

 Phone: 473-3003

  Email: [email protected]

Organization/Agency/Business Name: Ayuda Foundation