Friends of the Library make special presentation

A local nonprofit organization shared some time in a fourth-grade classroom that proved to be educational, informative and fun for all involved.

Fourth grade teacher Brina Osborne of the Cedar Ridge campus asked her class a hypothetical question: “If you could have any book from the library, what kind of book would you pick for yourself?”

Osborne then took that list and visited the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore, located at the Library Center of the Ozarks. She was able to find an appropriate book for each one of her students, some of whom had asked for a specific title and others a general category.

Shortly thereafter, Beth Schulz, manager of the Friends of the Library Bookstore visited Osborne‘s fourth-grade classroom for a special presentation. She spoke on the library’s Summer Reading Program, gave the students handouts and told about the bookstore and how it helps fund library programs. 

Schulz's presentation included several topics of interest to the students.  Following the presentation, Schulz brought forth a large cardboard box and told them it was a gift for the students. The students were excited to learn that Schulz had brought with her a book for each child, personally picked out by their teacher, Ms. Osborne. The children were excited to see the time and work that Osborne had put into picking out books specifically for them. The books were given to the students courtesy of the Friends of the Library Board.

"Inside each book was a copy of a Claude Monet print on a postcard," explained Schulz. "I asked if they would each select a word or phrase from the book they were given and rewrite it to something they thought might be more interesting. I told them that I would display all the postcards in my bookstore on Monet Day and afterwards would bring it back to them when they were in fifth grade so they could have their own copy of famous artists' print.

"Beth walked the students through a series of exercises as a whole group, brought a gift for them, and had a fun assignment they would get to complete with their very own hand-picked book," said Osborne. "Each book had a bookplate inside with that child’s name on it. Each book was the perfect fit for that student, matching reading ability as well as areas of interest. I cherish the sound of happiness, and it will forever be etched in my mind as the children received the books. I had the privilege of watching students interact with Beth. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it was fun to watch my kids have so much fun."

Said Schulz. "I am so grateful to the Friends Board and President Dave Dove for giving me this wonderful opportunity to share the love of words, books and art with these fourth-grade students."