Cyrene Wells, Mount Vernon Library Foundation Vice-President
 
The Hillcrest Park Lodge, transformed into a jazz club for the night, was the “cool” place to be on Friday, September 18th. The Jerry Steinhilber Trio, well-known in the Pacific Northwest, filled the lodge with what some have called “a serious combustion” of sound. Drawing on jazz legends, mash-ups, and improvisation, the group entertained an appreciative, standing-room only crowd, sending them back to their homes, relaxed and happy, feeling the groove. The evening, free to attendees, was sponsored by the Mount Vernon Library Foundation. The next Foundation-sponsored evening at Hillcrest Lodge will be November 13th with Country Line Dancing. 

Cyrene Wells, Mount Vernon Library Foundation Vice-President
 
Mount Vernon Library Summer Storytime continues a long tradition over generations. Some of
us can remember our own childhood participation. Perhaps we’ve taken our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or the neighbors’ kids to hear a friendly librarian read books.
 
Recently I visited this summer’s last all-ages storytime. Many of the gatherings had been themed: read-alouds paired with visits from, for instance, Parks and Recreation and the Museum of Northwest Art. Topics included lakes, snakes, ferries, and the ever-popular worm.  
 
Today the subject was food waste prevention and composting. Rachel, the Youth Services librarian introduced the topic of composting by reading Worm Makes a Sandwich and leading the children through a collection of songs and rhymes—accompanied by arm-waving, bouncing, and dancing. “I’m a little wiggle worm.” Most of children were pre-school age, some proudly telling others they’d soon be kindergartners. Rachel expertly adapted the warm-up to this day’s audience.
 
Rita, from WSU Extension, then read Zora’s Zucchini about the problem of too much zucchini and ended by giving each child a copy of the book and a bag of child-friendly recipes with cooking utensils. Many of the families stayed to socialize, look for books, or read quietly together.
 
Let’s take a closer look at this entertaining, action-packed half-hour. The twenty or so children cuddled against their parents’ legs or sat on one of the brightly colored circle-mats. It was clear that they’d done this before. They knew the routine and recognized one another. They had become a community of readers.
 
These gatherings help children develop social skills: listening, turn-taking, and emotional control—all necessary for a successful school experience. They also promote language acquisition and development. Songs, rhymes, and stories teach skills fundamental to learning to read and write. Storytime feels good. It’s safe. It’s fun. It helps children grow into enthusiastic, confident readers.
 
Our library staff does magical work. Thank them when you see them.