Back To School - Sept 2, 2009

I’m not quite sure where the summer has gone. If I really think about it, I suppose I can remember as far back as July. In my opinion, the weather has a lot to do with it, seeing as how it was cold enough these past few months that my electric bills are at an all-time low. Mind you, I like the cold and I’m not complaining, but when it never really got hot, it’s hard to imagine that we even had a summer.

Judging by the calendar, we did, and it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school. That means everyone is racing around, buying new clothes, shoes that fit, backpacks, school supplies, and everything else needed to send the kids back to their classes.

But there is something that is often overlooked. Sometimes, teachers have reading lists, either for the upcoming year or suggestions for summer. We’ve seen a lot of kids from the AP English class in this summer to get books from their list that their teacher actually requires for summer reading. But all the kids could do with either some brush-up reading or some mind-expanding nourishment.

Having trouble getting a kid to read during the summer? I’ve got suggestions. Granted, I know this is late, but some of these tricks might work during the school year as well. Find something they really like to read, that’s the first clue. For the AP kids, the list was really long. It wasn’t hard to find a book to fit most tastes on that list, which was great. The boys who loved adventure got Lord of the Flies, the girls who loved romance ended up with some Jane Austin. For younger kids, going with a sport or an animal they love is almost always a surefire way to get them to at least read *something* even if it does have a lot of pictures.

Have a reading time during the day. I would suggest before dinner. I know, my kids are too young to spend time reading before dinner, as most of you know, but *I* try to get some reading done before dinner, even if it’s only 15 minutes. And 15 minutes might be the max your kids can sit still. That’s okay! 15 minutes is better than 0 minutes any day!

You could also try reading with them. With the older kids and teenagers, sometimes it’s fun to read what they’re reading (we’ve got several copies of Lord of the Flies, by the way…) and then, perhaps, you can get some discussion going about what they like about the book. If you’ve read it, too, you’ll understand where they’re coming from, which might make them feel as if they haven’t wasted their time.

But it’s not just kids who go back to school. Recently, we had an internet class here at the library and it was very well received by those who attended. However, it also brought to our attention the fact that there are many members of the community who don’t know how to use a computer at all! By that, I mean they aren’t sure how to use the keyboard, the mouse, or even really how to turn it on. If you fit into this category, you’re in luck!

Our next computer class will be beginning computing, which will teach people who are not even remotely familiar with computers the basics: how to turn on the computer and the monitor, how to use the keyboard, and how to use the mouse. Once again, Lester and Collene Landgren will be teaching the class and it will be offered the third week in September! Keep your eyes on the paper for the exact dates and times.

If you are interested in the computer class, or if you have a book to reserve of renew, give us a call at 507-825-6714. Summer hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. We are not open on Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Our next open Saturday will be September 12th – summer’s almost over!