Welcome to the Dennis M. O'Connor Public Library
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
DATES: June 5th, June 12th, June 20th, June 26th
TIME: 10:00-11:30 A.M.
We have some exciting new programs this year for the Summer Reading Program. Participants will be able to learn about snakes from around the world with a hands-on experience program presented by Mr. Clint Pustejovsky with Texas Snakes & More. Woodforest Bank will be presenting an educational program on financial literacy. Staff from the Refugio Wellness Center will present a fun Summer Kids Wellness program. In addition to the educational programs, participants will also be able to enjoy a fun Carnival Play Day.
The Summer Reading Program is open to children who will be entering 1st grade thru 6th grade. This free program is co-sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
The goals of the Texas Reading Club are to encourage the children and families to read for pleasure, to help children maintain and improve their reading skills, to encourage them to become lifelong readers and library users, and to establish reading as a foundation for academic success. Participants will receive a ticket for every book as they are checked out, which will be put into the raffle drawing box. Weekly drawings will be done each program day. Participants must be present to win. The more they read, the more chances they have to win!
To help us with planning, we encourage parents to pre-register their children. Registration forms can be downloaded below, or from our Facebook page. Forms need to be turned into the library, or emailed to tina.mcguill@co.refugio.tx.us. Children that are pre-registered will get a head start on recording books they're reading. The registration deadline is May 30th. Space is limited to 25 participants. The library is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information contact the library at 526-2608 or on our Facebook page.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM
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LIBRARY OPENS NEW CHAPTER DEBUTING NEW VIBRANT AMBIANCE OF THE LIBRARY
The newly transformed Dennis M. O'Connor Public Library will start a new chapter Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 following completion of a $147,000 transformation project. The renovations were made possible by the Tocker Foundation, the Stillwater Foundation, the M.G. & Lillie A. Johnson Foundation, and the Kathrynn O'Connor Foundation. The library will be back to normal operating hours Monday, Feb. 12th.
There will be much to check out Monday during the reopening. Colors used throughout the project were inspired by the original building, which really adds a vibrant new ambiance to the library. The library includes specific areas designated for children, teens and adults. Additions to the childrens area include: a play kitchen, a discovery activity table, and an interactive touch table with 13 games.
The reopening of the Dennis M. O'Connor Public Library means a revitalized hub for the community. The library is a symbol of our dedication to knowledge, inclusivity, and progress. As a space newly designed for everyone, this transformation project has created a place where people of all ages can learn, collaborate and engage.
"The long-awaited improvements to the library have lived up to our expectations", said Tina McGuill, Library Director.
1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN
The Dennis M. O'Connor Public Library is implementing an early literacy program designed to help parents begin the routine of reading to their children daily, to prepare them for kindergarten.
1,000 books does sound like a lot, and that's why it's a great goal to have. It's good to remember that reading just a few books at a time over the 5 years from birth to Kindergarten will get you to that goal. If you read just 10 books each week for 2 years, you'd have read 1,040 books!
This program is free of charge, and is available to all families with children between the ages of birth and six years. Registration can be completed at the library, or online at https://forms.gle/sTdei5HNMTyhpiRu7
Log sheets can be downloaded at the link below, or a mobile app can be used to keep track. Prizes are offered at different milestones throughout the program, as well as at the end when 1,000 books are reached. We also like to post milestones on our social media (with parental permission) to help motivate others to keep working towards their goals.
Click here for Program Instructions
Click here for Spanish Program Instructions
Click here for iPhone mobile app
Click here for Android mobile app
Click here for iPhone and Android mobile app instructions
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a registered trademark of the 1,000 Books Foundation, and used with permission.
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