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Oct. 25, 2001

Students spent summer with a Library in a Box

Golding Middle School students were able to cross some titles off of their reading wish lists this summer, thanks to the “Library in a Box” program.

This fall, students returned to school with more than 500 books that they read over the summer. Faculty members checked out an additional 40 books.

The”Library in a Box” summer book loan idea developed between Golding librarian Meg Berdan, and library aide Sue Petersen, to help students avoid “summer slump” and keep reading all year round.

“The books are everybody’s resources,” Berdan said. “It bothered me that they were sitting here unused for two months when literacy is our mission.”

“The books don’t do anybody any good sitting in the library all summer,” Petersen added. “It’s better that they are read.”

They decided to get some boxes from the cafeteria and allow students to check out enough books to fill a box at the end of the school year. The students can choose whatever titles they want to read.

“We want them to read for pleasure,” Berdan said, adding that students are not required to do any assignments in exchange for the box of books; they just need a signed permission slip from parents. The library department works together to distribute permission forms to the 5th graders.

On a Friday, about two weeks before the end of the school year, Berdan requires that all materials be returned to the library. The following Monday, students can begin to put together, and check out, their Library in a Box.

“It’s like a shopping spree,” Berdan said.

The added benefit of being able to take books home from school during the summer is that not all students have regular access to a local library or book store.

“It doesn’t cost anything for the students to take home a box of books, there are no late fees, and there’s no need for transportation back and forth during the summer,” Petersen said.

The books are due back on the first day of school. New 9th graders can return their boxes to the high school library if that is more convenient for the student.
Students in grades 5 through 8 are invited to participate in the program.

“It’s grown every year,” Petersen said. “Students are chomping at the bit asking ‘When can we do it?’”

The program just wrapped up its sixth summer. Berdan said that she now has younger siblings who learned about the program from their older brothers and sisters, and are now excited to check out their own Library in a Box.

“It’s a lot of work to organize,” Berdan said, “but it’s a lot of fun for the kids and it keeps them reading.”