Not your typical outreach:
taking water resources to allied drive
A library's idea for outreach has turned into much more for the children of Allied Drive.
The Water Resources Library brainstormed earlier this summer about ways to advance the outreach mission of Sea Grant and Water Resources. But what developed was more than just the typical outreach idea, it was Water Critters for Kids.On Aug. 2, some staff from the Water Resources Library traveled to the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and held a story hour for children who live in the Allied Drive neighborhood. Children from the Allied Drive Madison School and Community Recreation program were also invited to attend. The program was organized around the broad topic of fish and included a reading of "Fishing Day," a children's book by Andrea Davis Pinkney, and arts and crafts projects.
Story hour proved to be a success and a second, devoted to frogs, was held Aug. 9 at the same location.
During story hours, now called Water Critters for Kids, children from this economically disadvantaged area had the opportunity to explore the world of water. Each story hour highlights a certain water critter, and fun projects and activities allow the children to learn about these critters and their environment.
Following the success of the first two story hours, MSCR has agreed to allow the Water Resources Library and other Special Purpose Libraries to hold a monthly story hour in their facility. On Oct. 11, Water Resources brought parrots of the rainforest to Allied Drive, and Oct. 25, the SLIS Library helped the kids celebrate Halloween early. The next program will be presented by the Data and Program Library Service Nov. 22. Four other Special Purpose Libraries have agreed to present programs in the months ahead.
JoAnn Savoy, director of the Water Resources Library, hopes that additional campus libraries will participate in the future.
Stephanie Good, project assistant at the UW Water Resources Library, reads to kids after school at the Allied Drive Madison School and Community Recreation building.