Pictured, from left, with Mineral Wells ISD Special Program Director Natalie Griffin are Mineral Wells ISD librarians Beth Friedel Henderson (Mineral Wells Junior High School), Cathy Hammond (Travis Elementary and district librarian) and Kira Buck (Lamar Elementary). The three librarians were an open book for Rotarians on Wednesday, talking about the programs, services and community outreach offered by the district.
Henderson gave an example of how much libraries have changed and continue to change. At Mineral Wells Junior High School, the library is not a place where you will be "shuuushed" for talking. It is typically a hive of activity with different groups doing many different things such as computer instruction or programming and Maker Space hands-on activities.
Mineral Wells High School's library is where a lot of students go during their Mega Lunch time to gather and talk in groups or as part of an organized club.
Buck said one of the district's outreach programs extends before pre-kindergarten and is reaching younger children at home – even pregnant mothers by giving them their unborn child's first book and encouraging them to read to their child during their very early development.
"You don't have to read them a book," said Henderson. "You can read them a cereal box."
Buck also spoke about the partnership Mineral Wells ISD's librarians have with Boyce Ditto Public Library and BDPL liaison Chasity Trejo.
An exciting new project is a bookmobile that is under construction and should be ready for use this summer to go into neighborhoods. The mobile will be a converted short school bus, stripped of its seats. The high school's woodworking students are making book racks that will be installed. A local body shop donated the paint and it will be wrapped to create a colorful and attractive bookmobile.
Rotarian and second-year Mineral Wells ISD Superintendent John Kuhn said his management style is to employ good people then get out of their way. He said the district's librarians are progressive thinkers and innovators who he said pushes all educators in the district to rise up and do everything they can to educate students and improve their skills in different areas.
Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Holiday Hills Country Club for lunch, networking, updates on club news and projects and a program of interest. Come join us.