Special story time event held at Essex library Tuesday night

Retired elementary school librarian Tina Mlodzik read three stories to 17 children who were in attendance at a special story time event was held in Essex Tuesday evening, celebrating “Grow Your Library,” a book giving program from Kids Need to Read.

Submitted photo

ESSEX, Mo. — A special story time event was held in Essex Tuesday evening, celebrating “Grow Your Library,” a book giving program from Kids Need to Read.

Retired elementary school librarian Tina Mlodzik, who along with her husband Gary Mlodzik leads Kids Need to Read, read three stories to 17 children who were in attendance. Each child took home at least two books to keep, Highlights magazines, puzzle books and a plush toy animal at no cost.

Kids Need to Read supplied 600 books to the Essex Public Library, with a cover value of $8,650.

Joseph Foster, president of the Friends of the Essex Public Library, said that the main source of books for the local library is donations and grants. The library is located at 110 N. Cypress Street in Essex.

“Giving children access to a large quantity and varied selection of books has many benefits,” Tina Mlodzik said. “The more books a child sees, the more motivated they are to read. Borrowing books from the library teaches sharing and builds respect for things that belong to others.”

Inspired by the Mlodzik’s shared love of reading, family and public libraries, the “Grow Your Library” program delivers free books and story time to local libraries and children during the couple’s travels. The Essex Library is the 37th community served by “Grow Your Library” since it began in 2015.

“I developed the Grow Your Library program to introduce a giving culture in the youth we meet at literacy events,” said Gary Mlodzik. “Putting a book in the hands of a child and allowing them to expand their horizons is magical. Allowing that child to make a small effort in order to share that magic for future generations is a priceless lesson. It is my hope that the children will be proud of the book donations made in their name and tell their friends, thereby further encouraging both literacy and philanthropy.”