When students walk into the bathrooms in Parkway North, one of the first things they see is a wall of posters lined in front of them. Some of the posters they might see advertise different book programs. This year, librarian Brigid Dolan has taken to trying to get more books in the hands of students and staff by introducing different programs.
One of the programs that is new this year is the book matching program. All students have to do is click this link or scan the QR code on any book match poster, then take the attached quiz to find the perfect book for them.
“The goal is to get people books that they want because sometimes you know what you like, but you just don’t know where to start,” Dolan said.
Some questions include, what book format is preferred, whether fiction or nonfiction is preferred, what genre is liked, and what length is desired.
“It is a way to help kids and teachers find books they want to read,” said Dolan. “They just click Book Match then answer these questions.”
Another way that the librarians have been promoting reading is the “blind date with a book” table, found at the front of the library. Each book on the table has been wrapped in paper, so that the book can’t be seen. The paper only has a nametag on the front stating what kind genre of book it is. Students check out the book, open it at home, and then start reading.
“I really liked my book, the Monk of Mocha, and was thinking about taking another book,” senior Raegen Wasson said.
Something new this year is the Lit Loot program in collaboration with the Alliance for Healthy Communities, which is a coalition dedicated to making communities safer by reducing alcohol and drug abuse by reducing factors that lead to drug abuse. This program is a giveaway where ten students will be given a knapsack full of items and books. This giveaway is spring-themed and will have items and books related to spring. Just like the book match, students will take a short quiz about what kind of books they like, so that the knapsack will have books tailored to them.
If you would like to take part in any of these programs, then the link will be linked in the article for your convenience.
![Senior Maxwell Banashek, energetically recites his poem for the poetry slam audience. “Usually I am more of a keep [poetry] private kind of guy because I’m waiting for the right time and place… poetry slams are the kind of nice, safe place for me to perform my poems.”](https://pnhnorsestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/m3-1-1-e1729098257151-800x1200.jpg)
