February 2, 2015 at 4:12 p.m.
Children's librarian 'Mr. Tom' introduces little ones to the joy of reading
Children's librarian 'Mr. Tom' introduces little ones to the joy of reading
By Kayla Thomason-
After years of experience and observation he and his staff have formulated many interesting, educational and entertaining activities for children.
Hurlburt and his colleagues try to connect the activities to books as much as they can.
"During the summer we do a whole bunch of special programs and our main reason is a lot of times what's called 'the summer slide' (kicks in). Kids will slack off their reading in the summer, so we try to get them in the library with a variety of programs and that way usually when they come in they leave with a pile of books," Hurlburt said.
The theme for summer 2015 is "Every Hero has a Story."
"A lot of the performers know the theme," Hurlburt said. "It's announced two years before the summer, so they'll tailor their shows and their songs and their music or the performance to the theme."
Some popular activities include magicians, animals, and the weekly storytime.
During the school year, on early release days, children can watch movies that are based on books.
In February they will be showing "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." The movie is based on popular children's book published in the '70s.
Some other events to look forward to include Dr. Seuss' birthday party on March 2. Musician David Dahl will perform for the children. Treats and prizes will also be available.
Throughout the year on Thursdays there are two storytimes, one for the older children and one for the younger.
"I love to do storytime," Hurlburt said. "I like to joke around with the kids. I really work on learning their names. I kind of ad lib (my jokes), I like to fool (the children). I'll tell them - I'll be in the middle of a story where it's kind of sad - and 'That's the end' and their faces drop and they holler at me 'Mr. Tom, you're just kidding.'"
On Monday mornings there is a storytime for babies as well.
Hurlburt likes to read "Little Red Ridding Hood," and "Jack and the Bean Stalk," with flannel boards instead of using the books.
He said his favorite picture-book authors are Eric Carle, author of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "The Very Busy Spider," to name a few; and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See" by Bill Martin.
Hurlburt likes stories that have rhyme and rhythm.
He said studies show that connections to books, reading and activities at a young age is crucial to development.
About 10 to 20 years ago Hurlburt heard a quote from a superintendent at a Chicago public school. That quote was "If every parent would read to their preschool child for 15 minutes a night it would revolutionize the schools."
"I really believe that (quote) because I think reading is a foundation of any course of study, the earlier you get (children) hooked the better it is," Hurlburt said.
Going to the library has become part of the routine for many parents and children, he said.
The staff at the library has an outreach program at Central Intermediate School where they bring classroom copies of a book and the students read it in school. When the students are done with the book they go to the library to watch the movie.
"There wasn't much outreach done before I got out here," Hurlburt said. "That's how I became Mr. Tom. I'd never call myself that, it was always Tom, but whenever I visit the Headstart Class - which two of us do once a month to three classes - you have to be a Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. and there I was, Mr. Tom."
The name followed him to the library, demonstrating that the children from the school were coming to the library.
He and staff members also visit other local schools.
His favorite age is "probably the preschoolers."
"I think it's just the unbridled energy and joy and interest in learning and interest in anything (that I like)," Hurlburt said of preschoolers. "If we could ever bottle what the kids run on at that age and give it to adults we wouldn't have any drug or alcohol problems. It's a natural high they're on."
He said he wants to make sure children have a good time at the library and have a positive experience so they look forward to going back.
"We just want to make (the library) a real open environment where everybody feels safe and welcomed and wants to come back," Hurlburt said. "I think we have a real kid-friendly staff down here. I'm blessed with a great staff and a real good director and one guy couldn't do this all."
He loves his job and enjoys socializing with the children.
"I love (being a children's librarian), it's a wonderful job," he said. "They're my favorite people."
Hurlburt and the staff's efforts haven't gone unnoticed.
"I think I can speak for the entire board, we've been very pleased with Tom. He's been with us for a number of years and his programs - and he has a lot of help from staff of course - but the programs that they do are very well attended, very popular," said Jan Baer, library board president. "He puts a lot of effort into things and we are very happy with him. Always have been."
The library has always had a good children's department and has always had a lot of programming, according to Baer.
"We've always done a lot of programming for children, but I do feel that Tom and his staff have expanded it a great deal," she said. "Tom has been a real asset to our library for several years."
There was a stretch of time when the library didn't have a director and Hurlburt filled in. Baer was pleased with how he did as interim director.
"Before we hired Virginia Roberts, who is our new director, when the position became open it was offered to Tom to become the director at the Rhinelander District Library and he declined because he felt - and we do agree - that his strength is working with the children," Baer said.
Baer said Hurlburt has a lot of good ideas for the children and she knows the value and impact reading can have on little ones.
"If you start a child reading and going to the library when they are young they become lifelong users and they become people who are informed and value education and value citizenship for their entire life so you can't start them too young," Baer said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.