“If storytimes look like fun it’s because they are,” says Deschutes Public Library’s Outreach Librarian Julie Bowers. Find out how much fun storytimes can be at the upcoming Preschool Storytime and Family Lunch at Juniper Elementary. The program is the result of a partnership between Deschutes Public Library and Juniper Elementary School and is designed to help parents and preschool-aged children establish routines designed to increase early literary and school readiness. The program is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Program at 11:15 a.m. | Lunch at 12:00 p.m.
Juniper Elementary

According to Juniper Elementary Assistant Principal Maria McClain-Madden, partnering with agencies like the Library is important. “The program is providing young children an opportunity to get an up close and personal experience with school before that first day of Kindergarten,” she says. First impressions matter to young learners says McClain-Madden. “Listening to a story in our library, participating in literacy activities and eating a yummy lunch in the cafeteria are all ways to make that first, positive connection to school,” she concludes.

Bowers says that there are other benefits to storytimes that go beyond positive first impressions and fun. “Strengthening early literacy skills and modeling for parents the kinds of activities they can do with their children are as important,” she says. “Research has shown us specifically what skills a child needs to be ready to learn to read when entering kindergarten. Children who master these skills are more likely to succeed in school, become productive citizens and less likely to encounter the judicial system,” she says. “It’s difficult for a student to catch up from behind. Fortunately, the early literacy skills are easily strengthened by parents who read, write, play, talk, sing and rhyme with their children right from birth.”

Bowers, who has been with DPLS for more than ten years, is one of the two Outreach Librarians positions recently created to enhance library service delivery to non-library users and underserved populations. Bowers started as a part-time shelver at the Downtown Bend Library. She held a number of different positions at the Library while she earned her Master of Library and Information Science. Before taking on the duties of Outreach Librarian, Bowers was a Community Librarian at the Redmond Library.

For more information about this or other library programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz at (541) 312-1032.