RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -The Family Bookshelf Project supports Black Hills State students by offering community-based project opportunities. By doing that, they’re trying to enhance literacy in Spearfish.
Being able to provide books for the youth to pick out while they’re out with their family is a great way for them to be creative and improve their visualization skills.
The inspiration behind installing free community libraries in local businesses happened when Professor Sydney Haugland was visiting family in Minnesota.
“We attended a pizza parlor that had books laid out for families to select and bring to their tables while they’re waiting for food and on my way back… This is the way that I am going to be able to support our children’s literature class”, said Haugland.
In early March, Professor Haugland and her students began installing free community libraries in six local businesses, including Common Grounds, Good Earth Natural Foods, Jitter Joint Play Cafe, Killian’s Food and Drink, Lucky’s 13 Pub, and the Original Spearfish Breakfast House, where families can read children’s books and use the conversation cards to engage with each other.
“The most rewarding part has been going into these community places and seeing the kids actually use the books… I went into Killian’s on Friday, and there were kids on the floor reading, and it was wonderful to see”, said BHSU student Dylan Swan.
Each book has a QR code for gathering feedback and suggestions about the collection, aimed at encouraging children to develop a love for reading.
The Family Bookshelf Project received funding from Black Hills State University, the United Way of the Black Hills, and the South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center, all dedicated to supporting children as they thrive in their educational journeys.
“To know that a community has so many resources, including this as a prime example… I think it’s so exciting to inform families like, ‘Hey, there’s resources and there’s help out there from the community,’ and this is a prime example of, again, how pieces of the community come together to truly make an impact for a child’s educational journey“, Maria Kemp, Family Engagement Learning Specialist at the South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center.
For more information about the Family Bookshelf Project, click here.
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