Library in southwest Alabama transforms into learning center every summer

CHATOM, Ala. — Some people might imagine that libraries are bland, reverent, and silent places where children are ”shushed” and fun is discouraged, but that is not the case during the summer months at Washington County Public Library in Chatom.

Silly songs, laughter, conversations, and brightly colored banners, streamers and artwork are instead the norm during the library’s annual WCPL Summer Learning Program.

The program runs from June 5 to July 28, with around 300 children participating each year. Summer weekdays are full of story times, art classes, yoga, exotic animals, interactive science activities, and so much more.

One of the most anticipated programs this summer is the upcoming “Stuffy Slumber Party” where kids are invited to drop off their stuffed animals for a sleepover in the library. The children and parents enjoy social media posts about their stuffy’s shenanigans and then join them for a pancake breakfast the next morning.

Each week of the program wraps up with a Friday night outdoor movie. Some of the showings this summer include "The Sandlot'' and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The library provides freshly popped popcorn and cold drinks, and community members are invited to bring a blanket or a lawn chair to enjoy the free show and refreshments.

Another fun event this summer is Kiddie Yoga. The Well at Chatom Yoga and Wellness Studio, https://www.chatomyoga.com, will be hosting the classes each Wednesday in July at the library.

Chloe Wofford, owner and instructor of The Well, volunteers her time to provide the classes at the library. She said, “Kiddie Yoga is so much fun! Kids are experts at knowing when and how their bodies need to move, and kiddie yoga gives them an intentional space to direct that moving energy.”

Wofford and her children are regular participants at WCPL who look forward to summer programs at the library all year long.

While each day has a new and exciting program, children and teens are also encouraged to read for fun and for prizes in a reading contest throughout June. A prize for Top Reader will be awarded, and participants will be entered for other prizes each time they attend programs and read books.

These prizes will be awarded at the Reading Awards Waterslide Party on June 28, according to Children's Program Coordinator Beth Roney.

Roney began as the Children’s Program Coordinator in 2021. She said one of her favorite parts of her job is watching children explore, learn, and expand their imagination.

She also enjoys sharing the program with her 5-year-old daughter Macon. Macon said she is excited to see the dancers, snakes, and story time activities in addition to eating lunch every day.

Much like her daughter, Roney said when she participated in the program as a child her favorite memory was “learning about the snakes and frogs during a Reptile Education program.”

As a teenager, Roney worked at the library as a summer intern. She explained how her fellow student workers at WCPL are still some of her best friends. Roney said the student workers are vital to making the program run efficiently.

Chloe Wofford also worked at the library when she moved to the community seven years ago. She, too, cherishes friendships from the program. Her favorite memories are decorating late at night and anticipating the kids' faces as they got to experience their work.

Jessica Criswell, a Living Democracy student at Auburn University, is living and learning this summer in her hometown of Chatom, Alabama, as a Jean O'Connor Snyder Intern with the David Mathews Center for Civic Life.  The nonprofit program, coordinated by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts, prepares undergraduate college students for civic life through living-learning experiences in the summer.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Library in SW Alabama transforms into learning center every summer