Longfellow fourth grade students arrive at the Griffith Calumet Township Public Library following a police-escorted walk from Longfellow New Tech Elementary School.
“The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future.” (T.S. Eliot)
Fourth grade students and parents from Longfellow New Tech Elementary School recently toured the Griffith Calumet Township Library. Following a brisk, police-escorted walk from the school to the library, students met with Head Librarian Janet Gibson, who showed them how to research books and introduced them to non-book related activities that included board games and lego building blocks.
The tour took place an hour before the library opened to allow students time to partake in a library scavenger hunt. Gibson views it as an opportunity to have a positive impact on a young learner, explaining that “this is a great time to introduce students to the library and the services we offer. We want them to become life-long library users.”
First-year LFNTE School Counselor Shelly Gates agreed, stating that she is hopeful the field trip will inspire students to apply for library cards and use the library for the valuable source that it is. The West Virginia native reflected on her youth as the reason she strongly supports students visiting the library.
“I love to read, but I don’t remember my mom ever taking me to the library except for when I was a sophomore in high school and I had to do a research paper,” Gates said. “But when we did go, I would check out 10 books at a time.”
Gates said that even in the high-tech digital world we inhabit, there is still a place for the library in our schools and public.
“There are so many reasons it is important today—it’s huge for equity and inclusion,” she said. “The library has materials for families who cannot afford books, internet, or movies. It is a wealth of resources.”
Longfellow parent Angel Brown said she wanted to attend the field trip because it was a good occasion to be with her daughter, Angel.
“I came to see how the library works and to share the experience with her. She has enjoyed it, and I can see us coming back.”
Fellow parent Miranda Lowden chaperoned to be with her daughter, Brielle.
“I like to be a part of field trips, I like to be a part of the community, and I’m a member of the PTA,” said Lowden. “I like being here for the kids. This was a good field trip.”
To end the tour, Gibson gathered the students in a circle and read the highly acclaimed children’s book, The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, by Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex.
Longfellow New Tech fourth-grade students react with excitement and joy while listening to Griffith Calumet Township Librarian Janet Gibson.
Together at the library! Miranda Lowden enjoys the day with her daughter, Brielle.
Angel Brown shares a moment with daughter, Angel.