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Hand recognized for efforts beyond storytelling |
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Tuesday, July 29 2008 |
Children's librarian uses creativity, enthusiasm to bring books to life.
By RUTH STANLEY
Managing editor
Meghan Hand does more than just read stories to the children at the South Whitley Public Library.
Hand uses her background in music, drama and education to create the magic of books in the children’s room at the library. She dresses in costume, she sings, she acts, she creates characters — all in an effort to bring the books to life for the young patrons.
“She’s very creative,” library director Darci Kessie said. “What Meghan brings is enthusiasm, creativity and a desire to go above and beyond in what she brings to the library.”
Hand’s work has been noticed by the community as well.
She was recently nominated by Shannon Langmaid, whose children participate in many of Hand’s programs, for a BookPage Spotlight Award. BookPage is a publication that reviews books and is available at the library. The award was created to recognize library professionals “who never seek the spotlight, but certainly deserve it.” The Spotlight Award is a nationwide contest that drew 500 nominees this year.
“Last year we were there once a week for story time for my youngest son,” Langmaid said. “There was nothing more he wanted to do than to go to the library and hear her read. A large part of that is her. She set things up and did things that he enjoys.”
Langmaid said Hand will also remember what kind of books her older son likes and will show him other books that might interest him.
“She keeps track of a lot of kids,” Langmaid said.
Kessie points to Harry Potter parties, outstanding story times and a creative writing program for middle-school age children as examples of the effort that Hand puts forth.
“She reaches out to not only little kids, but also has strong middle school and high school programs. She realizes the library is for all ages, which I really appreciate,” Kessie said.
Langmaid said the recently completed summer reading program is a good example of Hand’s effort.
“She had something different for each grade level. They were all connected, but she tailored it so the kids weren’t bored,” Langmaid said.
Hand, who joined the library in January of 2007 after graduating from Taylor University with an elementary education degree, said although it’s difficult to pick just one program she likes, she thinks the summer reading program might be her favorite.
“I get to encourage kids to read and get to know more kids in the community over the summer,” she said. “I really love diving in with the kids and watching their faces light up. I love introducing them to books and crafts, and when their faces light up, it’s like watching a sunset over and over.”
For Hand, there is no better job than being the children’s librarian at South Whitley.
“I really, really love this job and this community. God placed me here,” she said.
For Langmaid, Hand is one of the best.
“There are a lot of good librarians at the library, and she’s one of them,” she said.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, July 30 2008 )
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