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Cultivating love of reading is long-term role for McCook Public Library
CONNIE JO DISCOE
Regional Editor
McCOOK, Neb. — While some public libraries are going "all tech," the director of the City of McCook Public Library doesn't envision that happening in McCook.
Head librarian Jody Crocker feels that McCook's library is a vital service to the rural community, and by instilling a love of reading in youngsters who grow up to be adults who love to read, the library will remain a mainstay in McCook for generations to come.
Jody doesn't see McCook's library going strictly technology — no books — "not in my lifetime."
City council member Gene Weedin, a regular patron of the McCook library, said that as young children learn to read, they also need to be instilled with a love of reading. "You do that, Jody," Weedin said.
Not everyone is enamored with and completely dependent upon technology. "There are still many people who like to hold a book in their hands," Jody told guests at the Gazette's May "Coffee with a Cop" community forum Tuesday morning.
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The theme of Jody's summer reading program for kindergarten-fifth graders is "A Universe of Stories," and they'll read about planets and aliens, spaceships and astronauts. Led by library staff and volunteers, about 280 youngsters have joined in the fun each week in past summers.
Jody often seeks donations of items she and her staff can use for crafts. "If you're cleaning out your junk drawer and don't know what to do with something, bring it to the library," Jody grinned. "It'll become a craft." Speaking of which, Jody will accept old encyclopedias and text books, and books not sold at garage sales and auctions. These, she sells throughout the year to help fund library projects.
A reading program specifically for pre-schoolers is "One Thousand Books before Kindergarten," with prizes and books for avid readers (and listeners when they're read to). "We have a three-year-old who is actually reading," Jody said.
The "6-7-8 Club" is a social club and library business club for readers in those grades.
Activities this summer will include "Lego Guy" on June 17; a magician on June 19; and an inflatable planetarium on July 24.
Entertainment available for young readers at the library includes Lego building blocks, board games, playing cards, puzzles and movies; and holiday-themed contests and prizes, such as those for "Library Week" and "Children's Book Week."
Jody said that many of the library's young readers are home-school students, and the library is available for tours to preschools and daycares.
She said that an intern grant may provide $1,000 to help pay a high school student who wants to study library science. He/she would work the front desk and help with cataloging and the summer reading program.
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The McCook library has a tutoring program for elementary students during the school year, magazines, newspapers from McCook and across Nebraska, and an outreach program for patrons who are home-bound.
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Jody said the computers in the library are very popular for young "gamers" and with adults who access them for research, filling out applications, completing certifications; and sending and receiving e-mail. "We proctor tests," Jody said. "One gentleman watches on-line bull sales."
The McCook library has access to other libraries' books through a loan system, and it can get multiple copies of one book for book clubs.
Jody said that, even though it's a way off, she wants patrons to know that the McCook library will host the "Nebraska Innovation Studio" from March through August 2020. The studio is a "maker space" where creators of all sorts can share ideas, tools and knowledge for woodworking, fine arts, rapid prototyping and electronics to solve problems, influence change and comment on society.
Jody said five members of the library's staff will train in Lincoln and then, back in McCook, train volunteers to coordinate the studio.
Contact the library, (308) 345-1906, for more information on any of these activities.