• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Library Keeps Kids' Minds Sharp: Quincie Douglas Programs Aim to Teach, Entertain

Posted on: Thursday, 8 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Jamar Younger, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

Jun. 8--Children suffering from summertime boredom can develop their math, science and computer skills, thanks to a series of programs at the Quincie Douglas Branch Library, 1585 E. 36th St.

The programs target three age groups and get the kids involved in activities that are educational and constructive.

"We are working with children in the library to add value to their time in here," said managing librarian Elva Smithwhite.

The Summer Engineering Science and Math Experience, Seven-Eleven and Puzzle Up clubs offer children a chance to learn in a fun environment, off their neighborhood streets.

The Summer Engineering Science and Math Experience is a club for preteens that combines computer skills with analytical skills.

The program instructor uses 3-D puzzles, educational board games and movies to help strengthen the children in areas of math and science. "Kids in the neighborhood don't have as much encouragement in these areas," Smithwhite said.

The children also improve their researching skills by doing online scavenger hunts in which they receive clues about where to search.

The Seven-Eleven club is a similar program, for children ages 7 to 11.

Library Associate Gabriel Partlow teaches the Summer Engineering Science and Math Experience and Seven-Eleven programs.

He said one of the positive aspects of the programs is having the kids learn without feeling forced.

Youths who come to the library can also get involved in a club that teaches students about online journalism.

The children write online journals and movie reviews and report on the Summer Engineering Science and Math Experience and Seven-Eleven clubs.

Aaron Martinez, 10, wrote a movie review on "Scary Movie 3."

He found out about the clubs through his mother.

Martinez is a regular at the library, where he either reads books or helps other kids with their math homework.

In addition to providing educational lessons, the clubs have helped him learn how to make friends, he said.

Cynthia Sandidge and Sandy Solis both wrote a fun-facts section about characters from "Winnie the Pooh" in their online journals.

Solis, 12, said she didn't just join the club to improve her writing skills.

"I wanted to learn more things about the computer and how to go on the Internet and find more information," she said.

The youth club will also participate in a board game competition with senior citizens from the neighborhood. They will report and write about that event as well.

Paola Dabdoub, customer service clerk at the library, facilitates the youth club, which meets Saturday mornings.

Dabdoub and Yolanda Sainz, the young adult librarian, initiated the program. Dabdoub got the idea for the club from a similar journalism program at the Valencia library.

"It gives the teens a little exposure to stuff they might not have access to," she said. "I thought it would be nice to have the kids here do it."

Another club that begins June 19 will be open to all ages.

The Puzzle Up club will meet on Mondays. The club is expected to entertain kids who come into the library during the day.

The Summer Engineering Science and Math Experience and Seven-Eleven clubs are paid for by Kino Weed and Seed Coalition, while the youth club is paid for by PRO Neighborhoods.

The Puzzle Up club is a library project. The puzzles used by the Summer Engineering Science and Math Experience and Seven-Eleven clubs also will be used for the Puzzle Up club.

Smithwhite believes the library has an important role in a neighborhood where activities are limited for children.

"It's another valuable resource for the neighborhood," she said. "It's a place where diversity is truly celebrated."

South Side

-----

Copyright (c) 2006, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

Source: The Arizona Daily Star

More News in this Category