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9/12/14

Young Readers Book Club

Trevor joined the Young Readers Book Club at the library during the summer after kindergarten. He loved it from the start, and so did I. The books were often challenging for him back then, but they were interesting and he was highly motivated to read them. Each month when they met, Miss Julie led the kids in a lively discussion followed by a craft, science experiment or other activity to complement the theme of the book. Over the course of the two years that Trevor spent as a member of the Young Readers Book Club, I saw him develop from a quiet boy who let everyone else speak during the discussion to a valuable member of the club who had interesting insights and excellent recall of detail.

This June, the Young Readers Book Club met for the last time.


When we first heard the announcement that the book club was being cut, we didn't believe it. How could a library cut a book club? I was even more shocked to learn that the reason was because a certain administrator didn't feel that a children's book club was within the mission of the library. I was furious, confused, devastated... and started brainstorming ways to essentially demand that they keep this wonderful group intact. Long story short, I talked with the decision maker and came away even more irritated and confused than I'd already been. There was no convincing her to keep the existing book clubs, nor was she open to any compromises, cost-saving measures, expansion to include more people, or anything else. 

I'm so thankful for the two years that Trevor spent in the Young Readers Book Club. I'm disappointed that he won't be able to continue with it, and that other children won't get to experience it. Our libraries do so many wonderful things and offer so much, but I will never understand or support this decision. What a loss for us all as a community.

7 comments:

  1. Julie Tucker-WolekSeptember 12, 2014 at 5:28 AM

    That's horrible that it was cut!!! Sad :(

    I loveeeeeeee your page!! LOVING the photos and that quote on the left!!!!!

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  2. Tanya HamSeptember 12, 2014 at 12:58 PM

    Wow .... I'm really just speechless. Does this 'decision maker' understand this is a LIBRARY?!? What IS the mission of the library, then? I would be furious, too. First the Cub Scout awards going away, now this ... poor Trevor. He needs to recruit the community on his own and have their own Book Club! ;)

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    Replies
    1. Cindy deRosierSeptember 12, 2014 at 1:05 PM

      I have no idea why a book club isn't within the mission of the library. She didn't answer my question when I asked directly. A key difference between the Cub Scout awards and the library is that the Cub Scouts are replacing the old award system with a new one. The library is dropping children's book clubs with no replacement. There have been a couple of parents who have discussed leading book club for the kids, but there really is no replacement for a trained librarian with skills and resources that random parents don't have.

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  3. Tanya HamSeptember 12, 2014 at 12:58 PM

    And I LOVE that Dr Seuss quote, too! It's a PERFECT addition to the page!! :)

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  4. Sharon FritchmanSeptember 13, 2014 at 3:32 AM

    I cannot believe it, Cindy. Cutting children's book clubs??? That sounds absolutely absurd. And with no replacement. WOW. I can certainly understand your frustration. You made a beautiful page to remember that last meeting. And I agree with Tanya, that Dr. Seuss quote is perfect.

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  5. yyamSeptember 15, 2014 at 10:52 PM

    It does seem like a great program to keep young readers interested in books. Bummer that the program has been discontinued.

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  6. Amanda SevallDecember 24, 2014 at 9:37 PM

    So sad that they weren't even willing to try :( glad to see that Trevor to enjoy two years of it though!

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