Library winning kids over again
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIMANALO — Children flock to the Waimanalo library on Wednesday evenings, enchanted by the storyteller and later engaged in crafts projects.
Since last October, when the state filled the children's librarian position after six years, attendance at the Wednesday children's program has grown from as few as eight to an average of 50, and as many as 130 people, 90 of them children, showed up one night.
Most say offering children's storytelling and crafts on a regular basis and having dynamic readers are the reasons.
Children's librarian Nina O'Donnell said she and two volunteers, Pat Wiencke and Elizabeth Fien, are committed to operating the program on a regular schedule, something that couldn't be done in the past.
Wiencke and Fien are animated readers, attracting children to the program, O'Donnell said. "A lot of families make it an every Wednesday ritual," she said. Families from Kailua also attend.
The Friends of Waimanalo Library and volunteers have also made the new schedule and increased attendance possible.
"They say it takes a village and our village is sure coming together to keep our kids safe and educated," said Lisa Burns, whose three daughters regularly attend the story reading.
Burns said she appreciates the programs because the children enjoy it and feel special and safe at the library.
O'Donnell, who works 20 hours a week, said circulation numbers are up but haven't kept pace with the attendance. She said she's not worried because children are using computers to do their research on the four internet-accessible computers rather than checking out books.
Because there is now a children's librarian, on Sept. 7 the library also will soon open on Saturdays again for the first time in five years.
That will attract more users, said Herlinda Lopez, Friends of Waimanalo Library president. The organization is paying for Saturday programs through a grant from Verizon Foundation that will pay literacy specialists, Lopez said. O'Donnell is also adjusting her schedule to be there, a requirement by the state.
The grant included money for six new computers for the adult education program that also operates out of the library building.
"I envision families coming," she said. "There'll be adults who want to improve their computer skills and improve themselves, and we'll have the kids in the same building getting stories and activities."
But the program may be short-lived, having received only enough money to stay open until the end of the year. Lopez said she's hoping the state will kick in some money but in the meantime the group is looking for more grant money.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
