Books, magazines, computers enthrall, educate eager grade-schoolers

Wednesday, April 22, 1998

Books, magazines, computers enthrall, educate eager
grade-schoolers

EDUCATION: Graduate students share excitement with children
during National Library Week

By J. Sharon Yee

Daily Bruin Contributor

Say the word "library" to a group of little children and watch
their eyes light up.

Ask how many of them have their own library cards and their
hands shoot up.

It’s National Library Week, and college students have been
helping elementary school students celebrate the importance of
libraries.

However, it is easy to see from listening to the kids talk about
libraries that they already understand the value of libraries quite
well.

"Books, magazines, encyclopedias, computers, dictionaries!"
yelled students from Seeds University Elementary School (UES) in
answer to the question of what resources libraries have to
offer.

"Librarians, too!" they added, after thinking a few more
minutes.

Students from the Department of Library Science (DLS) visited 17
classrooms, engaging the children to talk about how libraries are
fun.

"In this age of computer technology, it is very important to let
kids know that reading is still a very valuable skill to have,"
said Nadia Caidi, coordinator of the event and a DLS doctoral
student.

Caidi and others also explained other valuable aspects of
libraries, including attending story hours and watching videos.

"It is very important to know how to read well to enjoy all
subjects, even math and science," Lulu Hallenbeck, a first-year
Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) student, told 25
eager 6- and 7-year-olds.

"We want them to get into the habit of attending the library
early in life," said Pattie Gonzales, a first-year MLIS student,
adding that libraries help bring families together.

First observed in 1958 and sponsored by the American Library
Association, the year’s theme is "Kids Connect @ the Library."

"We want the kids to also understand that through the library,
they can connect to the whole world," said Caidi, emphasizing how
public libraries also serve to promote cultural diversity.

At last year’s event, panel sessions were composed of
librarians, teachers and parents. This year, organizers decided to
approach the children in a more informal way.

Over a period of two days, groups of two graduate students each
visited 17 classrooms with children ranging from ages 4 to 12.

In addition to telling the kids about the numerous resources
libraries have to offer, the grad students wanted to stress the
value of librarians.

"A lot of people don’t realize how much effort and work it takes
to make libraries accessible," Caidi said, referring to the vast
amount of responsibilities librarians have.

While many of the children eagerly talked about using the
Internet as a resource, others mentioned asking librarians to help
them find books

"It’s nice to know that at this age, these children realize that
the librarian is an integral part of the library, too," Caidi
said.

Hallenbeck and Gonzales also encouraged the children to get
their own library cards, reminding them that they can sign up for
one when accompanied by their parents.

"Having the physical card is very important to them," Hallenbeck
said, adding that it helps make the library experience more
real.

Also in accordance with National Library Week is a contest
encouraging students to use the Internet, where they can win prizes
for entering their favorite web site.

After the discussion, the children were happily surprised when
given bookmarks featuring the popular TV stars Hercules and
Xena.

The bookmarks serve to not only remind the children to read and
use the library frequently, but also to encourage their friends and
families to read as well, Caidi said.

Clutching their bookmarks, many of the kids told each other
about their library experiences.

"I go to the library every Tuesday," one said to his friend.

"Well, I go every Thursday," responded his friend.

A third student pulled out his Beverly Hills Public Library card
and waved it around proudly, adding that his other one was at
home.

The grad students smiled in accomplishment.

"I love libraries," Hallenbeck said, "and I want everyone else,
especially children, to see how much fun they can be."