Getting kids excited about reading is the name of the game at Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BHML) and it’s been a successful one so far, with the circulation of children’s literature having doubled in the last four years. BHML’s children’s room serves readers from birth to about middle grade (10-13 years old). 

Children’s Coordinator Jen Betts credits part of this boost in circulation to the library’s robust children’s programming, including after-school clubs, weekly story times, special events and its summer reading challenge. The latter has been so successful that they decided to start a choose-your-own-adventure style winter challenge this year. The program will be running until the end of March. 

“I have found that when kids come in for a program and I tie books to it, or I have a selection of books on display that might be of interest to them, so many more books go out,” said Betts. 

Activity-based literacy is an idea that BHML is also implementing on a smaller scale with its take-home kits. These range from the “Nature Explorer” backpack with its own pair of binoculars and field guide to the “Early Learning” bag that helps kids with concepts like shapes, numbers and colors. 

“They’re learning but maybe they don't know they're learning.” 

In addition to program tie-ins and displays, Bett says BHML has seen a bump due to inter-library loans. Circulation numbers are determined by in-house checkouts and borrows from other libraries, so BHML staff try to add books to the collection that are in-demand.  

“We're a small library. We have a small core group of people that come in, so having our things go other places is helpful.” 

However, some aspects of the children’s areas need improvement.

“Space is definitely an issue,” she said. Her current challenge is the lack of separate programming areas for events or after-school clubs. The children’s room is too small to accommodate these activities in conjunction with regular patrons, so this necessitates moving out into the first-floor Great Room, which has its own downsides. 

BHML is in the beginning phases of a capital campaign fundraiser to renovate the library, which includes expanding the children’s section and adding more community spaces. These changes will allow Betts to separate book and activity areas and, with the addition of needed facilities (such as sinks), broaden program offerings. 

“I love that we still have families that value the library and bring their kids here. There's just nothing better than seeing a kid curled up with a book.” 

To learn more, or donate to the capital campaign, visit next100.bbhlibrary.org