4C APRIL 4, 2013
THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.
Photo by Amy Binkley
Jana Guitar, library programs director, keeps her young audience involved by asking them to point out characters in the Easter-themed book during Storytime at the Harriotte B. Smith Library aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune March 28.
Kids experience adventure during Storytime AMY BINKLEY
Assistant managing editor
T
he late Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States, once said, “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is best of all.” Books are maps to the adventures of children’s imaginations. At the Harriotte B. Smith Library aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Storytime isn’t just a regularly scheduled event; it’s a weekly opportunity for children to make a new discoveries. “We try to make it a genuine learning experience,” explained Jana Guitar, programs director. “We’re aware of the core subjects they’ll learn in school and try to reinforce it with the stories we choose and read.” Guitar gathered with dozens of pre-schoolers and their parents to read a trio of holiday-themed books for the annual Easter Storytime at the library March 28. Little hands shot up when Guitar asked questions about the stories. Together, they counted along with the characters and lifted the flaps on the pages to discover the missing objects. “The kids are relaxed and eager to interact with the story,” Guitar noted.
When they get to come regularly, Storytime becomes part of the children’s routines and something they look forward to. Jana Guitar, Harriotte B. Smith Library programs director
“When they get to come regularly, Storytime becomes part of the children’s routines and something they look forward to.” Sean Pittman, youth services technician, is intentional when choosing which stories to read to his audience. “I don’t just pick books the kids will love but ones parents will also enjoy,” he admitted. “By doing that, the kids are enthralled in the story and the parents are more willing to engage and participate.” The tiny tots jumped at the chance to make their own Easter bags after Guitar announced the upcoming egg hunt and asked their parents for help with the decorating details. Adorned with glue, stickers and bunny-shaped construction paper, the kids prepared totes for the hunt and lined up anxiously before marching outside. Galina Eichenlaub, a military spouse, attended the library events for years with her daughter. “I feel like she was raised in this library,” she said. “We love coming, hearing the stories and
making the crafts.” At Pittman’s signal, the kids let loose and made a mad dash to the brightly-colored eggs hidden inside the fenced in pavilion area. “My goal is to make sure everyone has a good time no matter what,” Pittman stated. “It’s good for the kids to get out of the house and do something fun.” Every child went home with a bag full of the plastic eggs stuffed with toys, but a few wandered back inside to take a turn at one of the Advanced Workstations in Education literacy computers. “It reads books to them and teaches them how to identify things like animals, colors and numbers through different games,” Guitar commented. “It’s all for education, but it’s also fun.” Storytime takes place at the library every Thursday at 10 a.m., and at Tarawa Terrace and Midway Park Community Centers on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. For more information call 451-3026.
Photo by Amy Binkley
A military child checks the contents of her Easterthemed bag after the Storytime egg hunt at the Harriotte B. Smith Library aboard base March 28.
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Photo by Amy Binkley
Storytime participants decorate their Easter bags for the egg hunt at the Harriotte B. Smith Library March 28.
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