Grant creates art programs in rural libraries

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November 2, 2007

BY ANNA HERKAMP The Commercial-News Fri Nov 02, 2007, 10:19 PM CDT

CATLIN — The library isn’t just a place to keep books or a gathering place for kids who want to hang out online.

Catlin Public Library District also is a place for artistic creativity for grade school-age kids.

The library recently was awarded a $68,607 Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Illinois Secretary of State.

The grant will provide books and art supplies for a new Catlin art program, which would target children in first through fourth grades. Eventually, the program will partner with other libraries in the area including Chrisman, Elwood, Georgetown, Sidell, Vance, Westville and the Danville Art League.

Catlin representatives would bring the “Art Groups for Children in Rural Libraries” program to the other towns, providing materials. Eventually the libraries would take over the programming themselves.

“What we’re trying to do is develop a series of these programs we’ll do at each library; then create a second series that each library can do,” said Janette Nash, Catlin librarian.

At Catlin, library assistant and children’s programming coordinator Paula Simonson began working this week with her first group of youngsters.

The group discussed Claude Monet and did some activities that imitated the painter’s style.

Simonson plans to have the group paint murals and other projects that will decorate the library.

She is confident the program will have plenty of participants at the other libraries.

“Anyone who enjoys working with kids and has an interest in art would be able to pull it off,” she said.

Many projects will involve painting, and Simonson is already going through a supply catalog to plan the projects.

Other activities will involve various forms of drawing or sculpture.

“It’ll vary. I’m trying to plan a variety of things they may not do at home,” she said.

Typically, libraries simply use whatever supplies are available to them for programs like the art group.

“I’m really excited about being able to bless other libraries with some really great supplies,” she said.

“We’re buying a lot of books, a lot of supplies, an overhead projector, digital cameras and docking stations — a lot of cool things they probably couldn’t get on their own,” she said.

In addition to the programs, Catlin also will create art kits library patrons can check out for groups or individuals.

Each kit will contain enough supplies and books for one craft or project, such as calligraphy, weaving or jewelry-making.

When the library first applied for the grant, the Catlin school district didn’t have an art teacher, Simonson said.

Many rural areas don’t have opportunities for young people to explore art, Nash said.

Hopefully, the new program will fill the gap for children who live in towns with limited resources, she said.

An LSTA grant in the amount of $2,140 also was awarded to Danville Area Community college for its “Creating a Learning Community for School Librarians: Technology, Training and Teaching” program, which will enrich the skills of area school librarians. Round-table discussions, workshops and other activities are planned.

FYI

For more information about the Catlin Library’s “Art Groups for Children in Rural Libraries,” call the library at 427-2550.

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