Kimball Library program matches new readers with more experienced ones

From the Eagle Tribune;

Kimball Library program matches new readers with more experienced ones Library Buddies matches new readers with older children
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com

ATKINSON — Ciara Abel was at Kimball Library one afternoon when she found a younger child looking for a partner to read with.

Since that day a couple of weeks ago, Ciara, 12, has become one of 13 teenagers who help other children, ages 5 to 7, learn to read and pick out books in the children's room.

"I like how you get to read books with other people," said Ciara, who is a frequent reader on her own.

Now in its third year, Library Buddies is one of the most popular programs at the town's public library. The program runs for six weeks. Every Wednesday afternoon, children from kindergarten through third grade get a chance to read with their older partners.

The program wraps up Wednesday, but children's librarian Carolyn Birr said they've already planned to run the same program next spring.

"It's very hard with teenagers to get them to clear their schedule," Birr said.

Ciara last week shared the afternoon with 6-year-old Ilan Levine, who was reading books about monkeys baby-sitting and teachers living secret lives at an elementary school.

"I never thought a teacher would live at a school," Ilan said while decorating a paper bag for an Earth Day celebration.

Across the room, Adam Torris, 7, hunted for a well-hidden Waldo who was hiding on a pirate ship while Meg Miller, 12, read a short introduction of how the famous traveler got lost.

"They're hard, but they're fun to do," Adam said of the "Where's Waldo?" books.

Like Ciara, Meg said she likes reading and wanted to help younger children to become better readers.

"I love reading and kids, too," Meg said.

Hannah Cosio, 12, said she visits Kimball Library at least twice a week, so it was just natural for her to become part of the program.

Reading to Brendan Moody, 5, was fun because the book series he chose about the adventures of a pigeon was filled with laughs, Hannah said.

"It's almost like you're talking to the pigeons," Hannah said.