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When the Rock County Community Library was one of 22 libraries across the U.S. chosen for a library fellowship in 2021, director Calla Jarvie didn’t know where the experience would lead.
With the fellowship now complete, library patrons have access to a video library targeted at its youngest patrons — anyone in third grade or younger.
“The video library is to show kids that reading is cool at any age and in any career,” Jarvie said. “Reading also makes you a celebrity no matter who you are.”
So far, 15 local “celebrities” have read aloud from their favorite children’s book or from a selection Jarvie chose.
The first three of the 15 celebrity videos feature a 10th-grade confirmation class activity.
“The sophomores did some readings as part of their service project for St. Catherine’s,” Jarvie said. “We had a wonderful mix of stories that way.”
Other celebrity readers came from both Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek school districts, a veterinarian, a hair stylist, the Luverne mayor and the county sheriff.
The video recordings stem from the fellowship’s focus on increasing grade-level reading up to third grade.
Each library selected for the fellowship through Berea College and Save the Children came up with project(s) that would help increase third-grade scores to proficient levels.
The local project focused on accessibility.
“Rock County only has one library, and that might be difficult to reach families who don’t live in Luverne — like during last week’s blizzard,” Jarvie said. “The videos are accessible no matter where you are.”
The recordings can be downloaded or viewed from the Rock County Community Library’s YouTube.com page or from the library’s Facebook page.
“Being read to at an early age helps children develop language awareness and recognition of story elements,” Jarvie said.
“Studies have shown from birth to third grade, children are learning to read. After that point, they are reading to learn.”
More celebrity readers are being sought.
“The video library is a living project, so as long as we have willing readers, we will make videos,” Jarvie said.
Contact Jarvie at the Rock County Community Library, 507-449-5040, or calla.jarvie@co.rock.mn.us