Children
Adventure Begins at Your Library
The 2024 Summer Reading Program at The Vinita Public Library has wrapped up another successful year of youth literacy programming. With a total of 118,144 minutes read (or 1,969 hours) this has been one of our biggest achieving programs to date despite the mid-program move back to our renovated library.
A total of 173 readers of all ages participated in various reading challenges centered on the nationwide theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” This theme, set by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, can be built upon or customized to cater to each community’s specific needs. We chose to craft our program to feature three adventure-centered themes of Pirates, Exploration and Ancient Egypt. We hoped this variation would offer a fun spin to keep young readers imagining and engaged throughout the whole summer.
Our program kicked off in May with a sign up party where readers could register, receive a reading passport, play games, craft an explorer hat and enjoy a complimentary snow cone. Throughout the following weeks the library was undergoing a move back into our original, fully renovated library. To cope with this upheaval and still offer the summer reading program, the library offered “reading passports” that included various independent activities for kids, a stamp collection hunt, a hieroglyph challenge that took them to multiple local businesses. We also had a treasure hunt in park and a variety of other independent events for readers while we closed for our move.
In July we were able to resume our typical in-person programming. For each week we had themed events or crafts; a Pirate Ship Battle using recycled materials, an adventure themed performance from Finer Arts Oklahoma and a Mummy Fashion Show to name a few. Readers could submit their reading logs all program long for small prizes, their minutes tallied up at the end of the summer.
Our end of summer movie party featured an awards and prize ceremony for the top readers and a certificate and prize pack for all participants.
Our top readers for the 0-5 age group were Kaden Smith in 1st place with 2,607 minutes, Martha Parman with 2,118 minutes was 2nd and Chett & Cole Nail in 3rd with 2,074 minutes. In the 6-12 age group Bentley Roberts came in 1st place with an impressive 34,085 minutes! Our top reader for the entire program! Kallay Thiems was in 2nd with 4,947 minutes and Okie Shelton in 3rd place with 4,569 minutes. Our teen winners were Amaya Partain in 1st with 6,775 minutes, Reagan Rudd in 2nd at 6,220 minutes and Ayden Partain in 3rd with 1,750 minutes.
Our adult reading program winners were Sofia Smolina and Denise True who received reading-themed goodie bags and gift certificates to local businesses.
The library appreciates all the support received from the City of Vinita, Cherokee Nation Youth Worker Program, volunteer workers and donations from the following local organizations and businesses: Vinita Lions Club, Vinita Rotary Club, Cherokee Nation, Verdigris Wind, Eastside Coffee, All Booked Up, Eastern Trails Museum, Shout & Sack, Scooters Coffee, Pizza Hut, Route 66 Apparel, and Austin Brown of State Farm.
This program is made possible by a grant from the US Institute of Museum and Library Services as well as 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.
Sign up for Summer Reading 2024!
Adventure begins for readers of all ages on May 21st for the Vinita Public Library Summer Reading Program. The reading program runs through June and July, and will host a variety of activities, including reading challenges, craft projects, story times, performances and more. All of the programs will center around the 2024 Summer Reading theme, “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
Registration kickoff party will be at the Vinita Public Library on Tuesday, May 21st from 11 am – 2 pm. There will be free snow cones and activities! All programs are free of charge. You do not need to be a library patron to participate in the reading program. Registration will continue through June at the library for those who are not able to attend the kickoff event. Come in and register and get your Passport to adventure!
The Summer Reading program age groups are; 0-K, 1-5th grade, 6th-12th grade and Adult. A calendar will be provided at registration and this calendar will also be posted on the library’s website.
The library is dedicated to keeping Vinita reading all year long and the Summer Reading Program is designed to help kids and adults find adventure in reading to build a foundation of literacy for lifelong enrichment.
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.
Santa will be at the Library on Dec. 6!
Programs planned for ages 0-5, kids,& teens!
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.
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.
Summer Reading Program is a Wrap! Children, Teens Read a Total 48,724 Minutes
By Vanessa Hicks
Vinita Library Director
The Vinita Public Library registered 105 children and teens for this year’s Summer Reading Program “Oceans of Possibilities” which began on June 3. This year the library included an Adult Reading Program, which was well received with 27 library members registering.
The culmination of the children’s hard work was rewarded with an end of summer reading event on July 29. The children read a whopping total of 48,724 minutes, equaling 812 hours! Participants who turned in reading logs received a “Reading is Leading” medal, a certificate, and a coupon for a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
Reading champions by age category are as follows: PreK – 2nd grade champion is Ariel Darnell, who read 2,462 minutes; runner-up is Heather Farbro with 1,830 minutes read; and third is Kenzely Roberts, who read 1,660 minutes.
Kallay Thiems, is the reading champion for the age division of grades 3rd -6th. Kallay read 2,662 minutes. Runner-up is Shane Thulin, who read 2,502 minutes and third is Hannah Waggoner with 1,760 minutes read.
In the Teen division, grades 7th – 12th champion is Lilly White who logged 12,480 reading minutes, runner-up is Reagan Rudd with 4,278 minutes read, and third is Johnathan Satterwhite with 2,428 minutes read.
Reading Champions in each age division received a Waterproof Digital Kids Camera. Prizes for 2nd and 3rd place included Sharkopoly, Oceanopoly, Coral Reef science kit, Sharks of the World Science kit, Ocean Animal card games, and Water Doddle Mat.
A random drawing was held for adult prize packages which went to Kristyn Thiems and Natasha Hiseley. Prize packages included a bag of Keagan’s Coffee and a mug from The Coffee Shelter, tote bags, insulated ocean themed tumblers, ocean themed word search book and Sprout Pencils.
Under the direction of Children and Young Adult (CYA) Program Director Mary Post, the summer reading program offered themed weeks, which included story time, games and crafts. The library brought in 2 special programs; the Finer Arts of Oklahoma program “Unchartered Waters”, and Magic By Tangles. Throughout the summer, the children were encouraged to fill out reading logs and check out library books. Some of those books had a gold coin hidden in the pocket. If it was selected for check out then the child selected a prize.
CYA Director Post said, “Everybody did such an amazing job this year – adults and kids both! We had a great and unexpected turnout, about double what we had last summer. As well as a lot of extra visitors that participated in our programs.”
“I think that adding the adult category this year helped encourage their children to read more, and it really shows in the numbers just the kind of impact that reading alongside a child can have.”
The library staff and Post are excited to start planning for next year’s Summer Reading Program which is titled “All Together Now: Kindness, Friendship & Unity”.
Children who were not able to attend the program on July 29 may pick up their certificate at the library.
The library appreciates all the support received from the City of Vinita, volunteers Julia Childers and Loudan Hicks, and donations from the following local organizations and businesses: Vinita Lions Club, Vinita Rotary Club, Shout & Sack, Pizza Hut, Subway, and the Coffee Shelter.
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 @vinita library on Facebook and Instagram.