Library program with more than reading

Gunnedah Shire Library has been the initiator of multiple programs that have now been implemented across Australia. One of which is the Bookends Literacy Assist Program.

It is designed to boost the confidence and reading skills of primary aged children through reading to senior volunteers after school.

Those adults can help with difficult words and correcting mistakes.

Di Doohan and Hunter Logan may not have too much in common between their interests and age, but they do make up two halves of the program and read together each week.

When the Gunnedah Times stopped by the library to meet the pair recently, Hunter was proud to announce he has officially read more than 100 books.

Di was a teacher for 47 years and emphasised why helping children develop reading skills is so important.

“By listening to children read, you are helping them, you are encouraging them,” she said.

“Unfortunately, children today are all glued to television screens which does not encourage their imagination.”

Not only does it help children develop literacy skills, Di said it creates connections.

“They become friends,” she said. “[I’ll] be walking down the street and all of a sudden hear, ‘hello nanny Di!’

“They know you care about them and in today’s society that is important.”

Gunnedah Shire Library’s Christiane Birkett said there was a time when hundreds of people stopped by the facility each week for the program, however, COVID had stunted its growth.

Despite the initiative being established in Gunnedah, numbers have dwindled significantly and now it is just Di and Hunter who are a part of the program.

“They build up quite a nice bond with the children,” Christiane said.

“The seniors became almost like surrogate grandparents to the children.

“The children were also interacting a lot better with the seniors in some cases than they were with their parents.”

She recalled a particular child’s comprehension skills were years behind his real age.

After coming to the library three days a week for 10 weeks, she witnessed his excitement when he realised all the things around him he could read.

Christiane recalled him running into the library to say, “guess what, I can read the street signs and I can read the signs on the shop windows”.

Other libraries have chosen to implement the program, some with changes such as children reading to dolls.

Christiane believes children reading to other people is important for multiple reasons. Regardless, she was just happy they were participating.

“Whatever works,” she said.

“Just as long as the children are reading.”