Pa. official visits southern Berks library, calls for extra library funding

David Mekeel, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·2 min read

Jun. 17—The two dozen or so kids sat crossed-legged on the carpet or on rows of metal folding chairs, their attention fully forward.

They hung on Susan Murray's every word, their eyes transfixed on the illustrations the Daniel Boone Primary Center teacher showed them as she turned and held the book she was reading aloft.

First, it was "Not Quite Narwhal," the tale of an underwater unicorn looking for a place where it fits in. The second was "Manfish," a story about Jacques Cousteau.

The kids giggled, they shouted out the names of sea animals they spotted on the pages. They talked about whether they preferred to swim in a pool or in the sea.

They were excited. They were engaged. They were learning.

And that's the whole point.

"This is really important," Dr. Debora Carrera, state Department of Education executive deputy secretary said. "Libraries have such a critical role in our communities."

Carrera stopped by the Boone Area Library Friday morning to check out the library's summer Stories with Teachers program, where each Friday teachers from the Daniel Boone School District read to children ages 5 through 12 and then join the kids in an art project.

Carrera said that summer library programs are important for kids, serving as a way to bridge the two- to three-month learning gap of the summer.

"Summer programs are an important asset to our students and communities, giving kids of all ages an opportunity to broaden their horizons and expand their minds during the summer months when school is not in session," she said. "Free library programs like Boone Area Library's Stories with Teachers are a great way for kids to stay engaged and learning while also having the opportunity to stay connected with their teachers throughout the summer."

But in order to continue to host such programs, local libraries need help, Carrera said. That's why Gov. Tom Wolf is calling for a boost in funding in the state's 2022-23 budget.

The governor is requesting $1.35 million for libraries, including a $1 million increase in the state's public library subsidiary. The subsidiary goes directly to local libraries, library systems and the 29 district library centers across the state.

Carrera said she is a big supporter of the governor's library funding increase proposal.

"Programs like this are the reason why we need that extra funding," she said.