Kids’ stuff

Some people complain that in an area as large as the Waynesboro, Augusta County and Staunton area, there are not enough activities for children. An often overlooked community resource is the local library. Libraries currently run programs for young children and some are in the process of developing other activities for children of other age groups.

The Waynesboro Public Library, Augusta County Library (including its various branches) and Staunton Public Library all run a regular schedule of children’s events, some on a weekly basis and other special events that change monthly.

Each library offers story-time sessions for young children from ages 2 through 5. storytimes go by the names Terrific Toddler, Precious Preschoolers, Mother Goose Time, Preschool Story Time and Toddler Time, depending on the library that is hosting them.  The Waynesboro Library also has a Spanish language Mother Goose Time, called Mamá Ganso, on Wednesdays.

Storytimes are not the only activities library personnel use to capture the interests of little ones. Staff members employ any combination of rhyming, songs, finger games, puppets, exercises and stretching and creative activities geared toward specific age groups.

“People are trying to find different ways to stimulate and grow their children,” said Brenda Sutton, a children’s programmer at the Staunton Public Library. “Libraries are a very good resource.”

Knowledge masquerading as entertainment comes at a price common to each library: free.

Or, rather, already purchased and paid for by taxpayers.

“Usage is up,” said Mary Binda, a children’s specialist at Augusta County Library’s Fishersville location, “but it’s typical when the economy is down.”
But don’t worry, the old saying, “You get what you pay for,” doesn’t apply to library programs.

Children who are regular participants in free library programs obtain benefits that an average TV program or computer game don’t always provide such as a head start in education; increases in emotional, physical and mental wellness and agility; and many opportunities for social interaction.

Possessing a Staunton Public Library card can get its holder a free day’s access to other local places to visit including the Frontier Culture Museum, the P. Buckley Moss Museum, Sunspots Studio, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and a tour of Blackfriar’s Playhouse.

“The children’s programs introduce the idea of literacy as valuable and fun,” WPL Children’s Services Librarian Bethany Jones said.

Candace Welk, of Stuarts Draft, whose son, Isaac, 6, attends Stories, Crafts and More programs at WPL, said that he meets lots of friends at the library.

“They’ve watched him grow up. It’s a second family for him,” Welk said. “Every Thursday when he gets home from kindergarten, we come right over here. He’s always so proud to show daddy the things he has made when he gets home.”

Madison Payne and her “Granny” also participate in the program. Eight-year-old Madison says she likes the crafts best.

“Madison has been attending since she was 3. She started out with Toddler Time,” Granny Yvonne Spencer said. “We hate to be late. We never know what good things Miss Adrienne is going to do.”

Educational skills that Jones and Sutton say children acquire include building vocabulary, listening to sounds, repetitive skills, reading skills and how to turn pages.

Outside of the children’s programs, resources at the library abound to occupy one’s time. In addition to the thousands of book titles available, other stimulating items of interest include CD-roms, videos, computer and electronic educational games, magazines, reference books and encyclopedias.

The Augusta County Library even encourages healthy competition with its chess club on the first and third Mondays each month, hosting players age 5 and up. Plus there’s an element of doing one’s personal best and competing with oneself by participating in the summer reading programs at each library and the newly introduced winter reading program.

One concept the Virginia state library system is working on bringing in gaming, says Zahir Mahmoud, WPL’s executive director, and Waynesboro has its pieces on the board.

“There’s a social aspect that can be provided along with recreation and entertainment,” Mahmoud said. “It can be a learning opportunity where kids can learn to share, they can learn to take turns by interacting with each other and they can learn to cooperate as a team.”

WPL has purchased a number of board games and interactive video games and will begin efforts at including gaming in its repertoire in March. Children will not be the only beneficiaries of the program, as the desire is to also include teens in the experience.

“We can learn a lot from them,” Mahmoud said.

Eventually WPL hopes the game programs will expand to include seniors in the fun. The library plans to purchase a Wii entertainment system to provide people of all ages opportunities to play on both physical and mental levels.

“That’s our focus in 2009, to expand to all groups and our gaming activities. Everyone will have the experience of being able to play a game at the library,” Mahmoud said.

“It’s an investment in your community. We’ve got something for everyone here,” Mahmoud said. “And you get more for your buck at the library.”