by Brissa Ojeda on 2013-12-23
In a world run rampant with fast-paced technology — from portable music players to tablets to e-readers — some might be apt to forget the joy a library filled with books can bring.
On Dec. 18, the Colton Public Library reminded children that good experiences can be created at the library and the let them know that the library cares for them. In the library's "Old Fashioned Christmas" event, children experienced a night filled with magic and wonder.
"It's important to bring [children] into the library and show them them all the diferent types of services the library provides through fun events such as An Old Fashioned Christmas," said Christine Juedes, the library clerk of the Colton Public Library who works in the department of children services within the library.
Starting the night, 6-year-old Desiree Flores entertained the audience of parents and children with renditions of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Angels We Have Heard On High" on the piano. Flores stated how happy she was being able to play the keyboard for everyone in attendance.
The children were then read to from two different books that evening by Paulinne Lopes and Pat Chaves, two of the library board trustees. As Santa Claus and his elves made their entrance and surprised the young ones, library patrons observed happiness all over the children's faces. Children followed Santa into his "magical" room, where each child in attendance had the chance to sit on his lap, speak to him, and were then surprised by a free gift from Santa.
"It was awesome! I always thought seeing Santa was impossible," 6-year-old Emily Perez said.
Edward Pedroza is the current library supervisor of the Colton Public Library and has always found events for children to be a fundamental part of a library.
"Its wonderful," Pedroza said. "As a librarian, it's my personal philosophy to provide a quality experience every time [children] come to the library. That's why we come up with ways to keep providing those experiences, not just the for the one time they come, but every time they come."
At the end of the night, refreshments were distributed to the children, provided by the Friends of the Library.
Library officials explained the "Friends" played an important in this event. The Friends of the Library is a non-profit organization strictly made up of volunteers who help in creating various events and programs aimed at children. The organization also works in an effort to fundraise for the library and provide it with any necessities — funds for the Dec. 18 event were raised by the organization, which provided the refreshments, the free gifts and free photos. Friends of the Library sponsored the event, along with Eagle Property Management & Real Estate.
"It's very important to keep the library running," said Linda Tripp, president of Friends of the Library. "Kids are our next generation, they are our leaders. They need to be taken care of and what better place to do that than in a library? Too many kids nowadays don't even know what a library is and we need to bring them back; activities are one means of accomplishing that. We need to bring more things to kids; they've lost so much. They can't do the things I used to enjoy as a child and it is nice for them to still have a place left in which they can experience what I did growing up."
[END]
An Old Fashioned Christmas
Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Google Map
Event Location: Colton Public Library
Address: 656 North 9th Street Colton CA 92324
Description: Join the Colton Public Library at the fireside for classic Christmas stories, music and refreshments. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
CONTACT INFO
Phone: 909-370-5083
Email: cjuedes@ci.colton.ca.us
Website: http://www.ci.colton.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=134
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
With technology taking over, it is as if children have forgotten of the joy libraries can bring, many parents and leaders have began to worry about in the past several years.
On Wednesday, December 18 the Colton Public Library reminded the children of the community that good experiences can be created at the library and the let them know that the library cares for them . They gave children the opportunity to experience "An Old Fashioned Christmas," a night filled with magic and wonder for the children of Colton.
Christine Juedes is the library clerk of the Colton Public Library and works in the department of children services within the library. "It's important to bring [children] into the lirary and show them them all the diferent types of services the library provides through fun events such ["An Old Fashioned Christmas"]," Juedes said.
Starting the night, the talented 6 year-old, Desiree Flores, entertained the audience that consisted of supportive parents and excited children with "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Angels We Have Heard On High" on the piano. Flores stated how happy she was being able to play the keyboard for everyone in attendance.
The children were read to from two different books that evening by Paulinne Lopes and Pat Chaves, two of the Library Board trustees. As Santa Clause and his elves made their entrance and surprised the young ones, the library observed happiness all over the children's faces. Children followed Santa into his "magical" room, where each child in attendance had the chance to sit on his lap, speak to him, and then e surprised by a free gift from Santa. Excited children lingered around Santa anxiously awaiting their gift and free picture with Santa taken by the elves themselves.
"It was awesome! I always thought seeing Santa was impossible," 6 year old Emily Perez said.
The Library reignited the Christmas spirit and embodied surreal magic that evening for the children.
Edward Pedroza is the current library supervisor of the Colton Public Library and has always found events for children to be a fundamental part of a library. "Its wonderful," Pedroza said. "As a librarian it's my personal philosophy to provide a quality experience every time [children] come to the library. That's why we come p with ways to keep providing those experiences not just the for the one time they come but everytime they come."
At the end of a magical night, refreshments were distributed to the children provided by the Friends of the Library Organization.
The Friends of the Library, however, did much more than provide refreshment for the evening. The "Friends" played an important in this event. The Friends of the Library is a non-profit organization strictly made up of volunteers. The organization helps in creating all kinds of different functions within the library for children. The organization also works in an effort to fundraise for the library and provide it with any necessities. The friends were the ones to help fundraise for "An Old Fashioned Christmas" and, hence, were able to provide the refreshments, free gifts Santa passed out, and free pictures. Friends of the Library sponsored the event along with Eagle Property Management & Real Estate.
"It's very important to keep the library running," Linda Tripp, president of Friends of the Library, said. "Kids are our next generation, they are our leaders. They need to be taken care of and what better place to do that than in a library. To many kids now a days don't even know what a library is and we need to bring them back; activities is one mean of accomplishing that. We need to bring more things to kids, they've lost so much. They can't do the things i used to do enjoy as a child and it is nice for them to still have a place left in which they can experience what I did growing up."