INSPIRE READING IN CHILDREN

With an Effective Library Writing Program

                              HERE'S A PLAN:

          DEVELOP a...... 

             WRITING/SELF-PUBLISHING COMPETITION

for youngsters.  If you are a school librarian you have children all around you to invite to participate.  If you are a public librarian then you will need to work with the local school district and community to draw in children for your program.

          PUBLISIZE a monthly or quarterly writing contest for the purpose of......

  PUBLISHING A BOOK AT YEAR'S END

with the work of all the

WINNERS and RUNNER'S-UP.

AGE GROUPS  If your "helper" resources are limited you might want to limit the number of age groups to begin with.  However, if you have a good staff, then go ahead and form two or three age groups for the contest.

MONTHLY or QUARTERLY CONTEST?  There again, you will have to decide what you and your staff are capable of managing.  I believe a quarterly contest can serve the purpose and give you the time you need to oversee and edit the childrens' work.  The quarterly time frame will also serve the children well.

TOPICS  Poetry, short story writing, issues facing the community, science today, little-known history, interviews with community members (like the Chamber of Commerce, business men and women, etc.), art, music, sports history, or...... a book review!

                         

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This way! 

Linda Chambers