Sikeston Public Library awarded grant for this summer’s reading program

By Gina Williams

Standard Democrat

SIKESTON — Sikeston Public Library’s summer reading program will return this year with an adventurous theme: “Great American Road Trip.” 

From June to July, children will have the opportunity to experience adventure and the beauty of the United States. According to Sikeston Public Library’s children’s librarian Lisa Munger, the library received $8,406 this year, which is a slightly less amount than in previous years. 

“Forty-nine libraries across the state of Missouri applied for summer reading grants, and since there is a limited amount of funding they can distribute, the state had to cut out some of the purchases we were able to make,” Munger said. “We will still be able to provide a quality, educational and fun summer program, though.”

Munger said the project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

According to Munger, she is currently narrowing down the books that will be added to the library’s collection and making purchases for the STEAM room, crafts and story time activities. 

Munger said the number of children participating in the program varies year after year.

“Attendance fluctuates from year to year because of holidays and overall interest,” Munger said. “For our 2023 summer reading program, we had a children’s total attendance of 2,015 kids.”

Munger chose “Great American Road Trip” as the theme for this year because of the opportunities for adventure in the United States.

“Our country has so many amazing and amusing places to visit, from natural wonders like caves and waterfalls and canyons, to oddities like ‘Carhenge and ‘World’s Largest Bottle of Ketchup,’” Munger said. “We will take an imaginary road trip to “visit” some of these places.

Munger continued: “I hope this year’s theme encourages people to learn more about our country and all of the things that are here to travel to and experience.”

Munger is excited to use the movie screen and projector in the library basement to show the children these locations in the United States. 

Munger expressed hope that visiting these locations will provide the children with a personal experience.

During the month of June, Munger said there will be three presenters. 

On June 3, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., there will be Toby Kid’s “JEDI Adventure.” 

“Toby visited us in 2022 as a pirate so I am very excited to see him as a JEDI,” Munger said. 

On June 10 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. will be Will Stuck’s “Adventure into the Absurd.”

“This will be the first time that I have met him personally, but I’ve heard wonderful and hilarious things about him,” Munger said. 

The last presenter of the month, will be Marty the Magician on June 17, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“This will be Marty’s third visit to our library and this year he will be presenting, ‘The Magical Library Adventure,’” Munger said.

Munger said they will also read adventure books during story times and complete projects related to where they “visit” that day. 

Munger said the STEAM room will be back during the month of July. 

“There will be lots of hands-on adventure activities for patrons to enjoy outside of their regularly scheduled story times,” Munger said. 

According to Munger, planning for the summer reading program is an all-year- round process. 

“The grant application is typically due by Dec. 1,” Munger said. “In mid-January we find out the amount that we are awarded and sign an acceptance letter. Feb. 1 is when the official grant period opens, and I can begin making purchases.” 

Munger expressed her excitement about this year’s theme and discussed her goals with the theme. 

“I know I can’t load up the community’s kids and take them on a real cross-country adventure, so my goal is to utilize the technology the library has in our basement with our projector and movie screen,” Munger said. “I don’t want the kids to just see a small picture in a book about Niagara Falls; I want them to actually see and hear how loud it is and how fast it flows.”