We’ve had a busy spring so far here at the Ignacio Community Library (ICL). With a new staff member, two new interns, and some fun new programs we have been racing through this spring that already feels like summer.  

One of our new programs was recently held at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Acadamy (SUIMA). The ICL received a Ballantine Family Foundation Core Values Grant to support literacy in the area. With these funds we are able to provide dinner, a free book and literacy supplies as well as incentives for attending families.  

On Wednesday, March 26 we were able to host our first event for the grant at SUIMA; 14 families attended with over 30 children participating. We offered dinner, story time, art projects and literacy tips for parents. Families took home a copy of the book The Squiggle by Lexa Schaefer. This is a fun read aloud for both caregivers and kids as the child in the story finds a string and imagines all it can be. It is a wonderful story that children can easily identify with and a great way to help children connect stories with everyday life.  

The participants shared their stories of learning to read, sharing reading with their families, and learned about the five practices that help build prereading skills; talking, reading, writing, singing, and playing. While each child received some art supplies, parents also received a Farmers Fresh gift card for attending. The next event is open to all families with young children and will be held at the library on Wednesday, April 23 at 5:30 pm. Attending families will again receive a book to keep, dinner, incentives and activities for their children.  

The library staff is grateful for the opportunity to work with SUIMA and to get to know some of the families whose children attend school there. We appreciate the help of SUIMA staff and administration to get our literacy project off to a successful and fantastic start.