I am writing you to let you know that the Library is traveling around town in your neighborhood!
“Why?” do you ask? Well, there is a program called Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.).
D.E.A.R. will be traveling and highlighting different local businesses and community based careers. There will be prizes to earn and receive through this program. When you arrive to to the D.E.A.R. event, you will get your passport. Each time you visit a D.E.A.R. program, you will receive a prize out of the prize box and a stamp on your passport to be able to enter into the different tier prize set you are eligible for.
The different prize levels are as followed:
Grand Prize (5-6 Visits): The GRAND PRIZE! It will be revealed soon!
Runner up (3-4 Visits): A gift basket of items from the local places we visit.
3rd (1-2 Visits): Library Prizes!
Every visit: Treasure chest prize!
With this program, we are looking to connect the different community partners with early literacy and show different career paths for the youth. This is a great way for community involvement outside of the library! The community is able to explore the different highlighted places around the city and have a better understanding of what they do and how they contribute back to the community.
Expect at each visit; a story read by an employee of that establishment, songs, explanations and tours of the business, and a chance to Drop Everything And Read.
With our schedule, we will first explore the downtown area, then we will travel around town. All programs will start at 2pm and end by 3pm!
Here are the following dates and addresses for the downtown area:
10/21: Spoken Bicycles - 1201 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044
11/18: Lester’s Rock n Roll Shop - 1123 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044
12/16: The Slice - 1300 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044
1/16: Pendleton Art Center - 1105 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044
We understand that weekend times and transportation are not accessible to all youth in Middletown. If you are not able to attend these different programs but are still wanting to participate, you will be able to receive a stamp for your passport when you use the social media hashtag #DEARMiddletown. The elements that will be considered for a stamp will be:
Choosing a book from the library and connecting it to a business building, event, or activity while you are engaging with it. Ex: Attending Broad Street Bash and taking a picture with the book Want to Be in a Band? By: Suzzy Roche (Get creative!!)
Adding #DEARMiddletown to the beginning of your post to write a letter to the city.
Show the Youth Services librarian your post and you will receive one stamp for each post you share!
I look forward to your attendance and seeing the creative books that are chosen with the different places, spaces, and events around the city!!
Your friend,
Jenn Effinger-Damron
Youth Services Library Specialist
MidPointe Library Middletown
About the Author: Jenn Effinger-Damron has taught children at Montessori and Reggio Emilia inspired schools and has turned accidental Librarian in the Youth Department. She loves silly stories, plays and coaches a local roller derby team, and is learning to play the ukulele.
