Summer Reading Wraps Up with Pajama Party, Reading Champions Announced

By Vanessa Hicks

Vinita Library Director

The Vinita Public Library registered 172 children and teens for this year’s Summer Reading Program “All Together Now” which began on May 26 with a Kick-off event and snow cones.  This year the library added a program for children ages 5 and under, which was very well received and regularly attended. The library also included an Adult category, which had 22 adult library members register.

The culmination of the children’s hard work was rewarded with an end of summer reading event on July 12, involving a pajama party and popcorn.   The children read a whopping total of 88,137 minutes, equaling 1,469.5 hours!  Participants who turned in reading logs received a “Reading is Leading” medal, a certificate, Dawg Dollar from Shout & Sack, and a coupon for a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.

Reading champions by age category are as follows: age 5 & under champion is Martha Parman, 2 years old, who read 3,264 minutes; runner-up is Zachary Hilburn, age 3, with 2,344 minutes read; and third is Kason Smith, 5 months old, who had 1,946 minutes logged.  For this age group, reading to the child is counted on the reading logs.  Prizes were for 1st place a Glow in the dark Fort Building Kit; 2nd place received a Hoover Soccer Ball; 3rd place received a LCD writing tablet and doodle board.

Kallay Thiems, 9, is the reading champion for the age division of grades K – 5th. Kallay read 4,741 minutes. She won a Laser Tag gun set with LED display vests.  Runner-up is Kaylee Smith, 9, who read 4,148 minutes. She received Walkie Talkies, which are long range and rechargeable. Third place is Ariel Darnell, 8, with 4,104 minutes read and she received an LCD writing tablet.

In the Teen division, grades 6th – 12th, the champion is Lilly White, 14, who logged 12,883 reading minutes. Lilly won a Capture the Flag glow-in-the-dark kit. Runner-up is Elliana Hoodenpyle, 11, with 6,634 minutes read. She received a Hand-controlled LED Flying Orb Drone. Third place is Reagan Rudd, 16, with 5,310 minutes read who received an LCD writing tablet.

Additional special certificates and a bubble machine prize were awarded to three children: Raelyn Wylie, 9, for “Amazing Artist” with crafts; Lance Steward, 5, for “Best Behavior” during story time; and Emma Millarr, 8, for “Excellent Effort” during activities and games.

All of the prizes were selected to go along with the theme “All Together Now” and are games and toys which can be played with friends and family.

A random drawing was held for adult prize packages which went to Erin Millarr and Leslie Shelton. Prize packages included tote bags, tumblers, Subway coupons, Jigsaw puzzle donated by Route 66 Apparel, zippered book holder, zippered pouch bag reading “Shh … I’m Reading”, Cactus Keychain and notebook, and metal bookmarks which said “No Shelf Control” and “Book Nerd”.

Under the direction of Assistant Children’s Director Darla Tanner, the summer reading program offered themed weeks, which included story time, games and crafts.  The library brought in a special program by the Finer Arts of Oklahoma titled “Thrown Together”.  Throughout the summer the children were encouraged to fill out reading logs for small prizes, and check out library books. 

Library Director Vanessa Hicks said “This is the most children we have ever had registered for our Library Summer Reading.

It is a great program that keeps children reading all summer long, which is our ultimate goal.

“This year we included an age category for children 5 and under, and I think this was something that our community needed.   Watching that young group participate in the crafts and looking for books to check out was a lot of fun and is a great introduction to Library programs.”

Children who were not able to attend the program on July 12 may pick up their certificate at the library. 

The library appreciates all the support received from the City of Vinita, Cherokee Nation Youth Workers Julia Childers and Tatum Tanner, volunteer Loudan Hicks, and donations from the following local organizations and businesses: Vinita Lions Club, Vinita Rotary Club, Cherokee Nation, Shout & Sack, Pizza Hut, Subway, Route 66 Apparel, and Advance America in Miami.

This program is made possible by a grant from the US Institute of Museum and Library Services, and statewide sponsor The Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

For more information on the summer reading program and other library programs, call the library at 918-256-2115. Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram.

The Vinita Library Summer Reading Program had 172 children register for the program, which ended July 12. The children logged a total of 88,137 reading minutes, equaling 1,469.5 hours!
Reading champion for grade K-5th is Kallay Thiems, 9, (left). She read 4,741 minutes. Third place is Ariel Darnell, 8 with 4,104 minutes.
Reading champion for the teens is Lilly White, 14. She read 12,883 minutes.
Reading champion for the age group 5 & under is Martha Parman, 2. She read 3,264 minutes.
Lance Steward, 5, earned the “Best Behavior” award and a bubble machine prize.
Emma Millarr, 8, earned the “Excellent Effort” award and a bubble machine prize.
Adult prize winners are Erin Millarr and Leslie Shelton.

Summer Reading Sign-up Event on May 26

Readers of all ages are invited to register on May 26th for the Vinita Public Library Summer Reading Program.  The reading program runs through June and part of July, and will be a variety of activities, including reading challenges, craft projects, storytimes, performances, and more. All of the programs will center around the 2023 Summer Reading theme, “All Together Now: Kindness / Friendship / Unity.”

It all begins with a “Groovy” Kick-off event for registration at the Vinita Public Library on Friday, May 26 from 11 am – 1 pm.  There will be free Italian Ice and activities for all ages!

The library is offering Summer Reading programs for all ages.  The age groups are; 0-Pre-K, K-5th grade, 6th-12th grade, and Adults. A calendar will be provided at registration, and this calendar will also be posted on the library’s website.

Every summer the Vinita Public Library offers a Summer Reading Program to keep children and their families reading all summer long. We believe reading is a fundamental skill and a gateway to success in life. Summer Reading is a community tradition that promotes reading for fun and lifelong enrichment. All programs are free of charge.

For more information, call the library at 918-256-2115 or visit our website, and follow us on Facebook for information and updates.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

Enter to Win Prizes at the Library during National Library Week

By Vanessa Hicks

Library Director

    The Vinita Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with drawings for gift baskets and a grand prize.  National Library Week is April 23 – 29 and the theme is “There’s More to the Story”.

    Visit the Vinita Pubic Library during National Library Week and enter a drawing for one of three gift baskets. The three gift baskets are for the age groups; kids, teens, and adults.  Also, the library is giving away a grand prize to a member who can guess the number of checkouts from April 1, 2022 to April 1, 2023.  

Text Box: Audrey Bowers, left, and Library Director Vanessa Hicks, hold items donated by Route 66 Apparel for the National Library Week gift baskets.   

The number of checkouts will include materials borrowed through our Virtual Library, but does not include renewals.  The closest guess will win a $25 Visa gift card.  In the event of a tie, a random drawing from all tying entries will determine the winner.  Drawings will be held at noon on May 5.  You do not need to be present to win.

    One entry is allowed per library member for each drawing; one for the drawing for an age-appropriate basket and one for the guess of how many checkouts.  To win you must be a library account holder in good standing.

    The drawings are for library account holders only.  However, new members will be immediately eligible. Library staff are regularly registering new members.  A Vinita library account is free for people who live or work in Craig County.  Requirements for getting a library account are you must show an ID and two proofs of mailing address.

    The Vinita Public Library appreciates all of their patrons and it continues to go above and beyond to benefit the community by expanding resources, programs and collections.

    For more information, visit the library’s website at vinitapl.okpls.com or call 918-256-2115. Follow the Vinita Public Library on Facebook and Instagram for updates and announcements.