African American Read-In Chain
February 25th, 2009 at 12:26 am by Nicole Livas under Personalities, Uncategorized
I was one of many guest readers at the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library in Chesapeake on Monday, February 23. I read an excerpt from the book “Chicken Soup for the Teenager’s Soul”. The group of kids ranged in age, but most were high school students. Not only did I read to them, we had a wonderful conversation about life. I told them doing the right thing may not always be the easy thing to do, but all of our actions have consequences and they need to consider that. Peer pressure is difficult and they may think they’re in the best years of their lives, but they are not. They have much more to look forward to.
Libraries, schools, churches, bookstores were encouraged to coordinate read-ins like this one, to help make African-American literacy a tradtional part of Black History month activities.
The Cuffee Library has several programs to encourage young people to read and succeed in life. Some of the groups include the Little Ladies Book Club, Boys To Men Book Club, and Book Divas. Almost off the kids told me they plan to go on to college. I suggest they pick books on subjects they want to learn more about and read them during their summer break to keep their minds fresh. The fact that they spend time with their reading groups and were there with me at 7 p.m. on a school night showed me their dedication and determintation. I believe this group will go far with the help of their teachers, families, and the community.
This group is used to having guest speakers year round because the Cuffee Library has a mentoring program that makes sure the young men and women are exposed to speakers from different professions.
The Cuffee Library is gearing up for its 3rd annual parade on June 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The parade route has expanded this year and the library is looking for bands, color guards, floats, food and vehicles for the distinguished guests. The parade kicks off the summer reading program where kids are encouraged to read at least 20 a day, to keep their minds fresh while school is out. For more information or If you want to help, call Donna Darnell at (757) 410-7036 or click here:
http://www.chesapeake.lib.va.us/CC_Library/CChome.htm
Tags: african american, book club, chesapeake, clarence cuffee library, nicole livas, parade, read-in, summer reading
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Miss Livas:
The Dr. Clarenc V. Cuffee Library staff and children really enjoyed your coming to our library and participating in the 30th African American Read-In.
Your contribution has enhanced our program immensely.
We really want to thank you for coming out to the library for our E-WASTE day in support of our LEGO Robotic Team where we recycled old electronics. The E-WASTE that we gathered will save our environment. This Siemens ” Save the World challenge” project was a part of a larger challenge that the LEGO Robotics was a part of. Thank you again.