By AMBER DILLEY
Local families are getting the chance to spend some “prime time” focusing on literacy at the Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library.
The Prime Time Family Reading Time program, a sponsorship between the library and the Kentucky Humanities Council (KHC), started Saturday at the library with a handful of people enjoying a free breakfast before introductions.
Martha Nell Thomas, community services director for the library, said the library has worked hard to get people registered for the program.
“People can register the day of,” she said. “It’s best if you come in every time, but you don’t have to. This Saturday was just introductions, registration and breakfast.”
Thomas said the program was successful when it was done last spring for the Hispanic community.
“Every thing we read in English was then translated into Spanish,” Thomas said. “It made us understand what it must be like to be in a culture you can’t understand.”
Thomas said one father brought his son in the first day and said the son hated to read. By the end of the program, the son wanted to read out loud and was an active participant.
“This program really tries to help parents get involved in the reading process with their children,” Thomas said. “It really tries to reach the families and help them become successful. We want them to be successful.”
The program is a partnership between the library and KHC to teach the importance of fun and reading to children ages 6-12 and their families.
Kathleen Pool, associate director for KHC, a non-profit organization, said the program will feature discussions of the books as well as a breakfast and door prizes.
“Each week the family takes home three books arranged around a humanities theme, such as greed, dreaming, determination, etc. to read together at home,” Pool explained.
“The following week, they come back to the library. After having breakfast with the other families, a professional storyteller, Kathy Milby, will present one of the books to the families. Laura Houchens will serve as the book discussion leader.”
After the book discussion, the library usually gives away door prizes and families then check out the books for the following week, Pool said.
The program, which started in Kentucky in 2004, is at 17 libraries around the state this year.
It is paid for by grants and the library hosting the program to make it free to anyone who wants to participate.
