Nederland leaders foster love for reading
Published 6:39 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Library hosts Thursday story time series with city officials
NEDERLAND — The Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library is hosting a special series this summer, giving the Story Time pre-kindergarten crowd and their parents a unique chance to meet Nederland leaders outside of the official city routine.
Mayor Richard “Dick” Nugent, City Clerk Gay Ferguson and City Manager Chris Duque have all read favorite children’s books and given a behind-the-scenes look at running city government in the weekly Thursday series.
City Councilman Craig Belaire will continue this summer’s special “Story Time with the City Officials” series Thursday morning in the library meeting room.
Nederland Mayor Richard “Dick” Nugent reads books about fire fighters and their service trucks during “Story Time with the City Officials,” a special summer series, in the Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library July 23.
“This all started a couple weeks before summer ever started,” Victoria Klehn, director of library services, said Wednesday. “The kids all enjoy six weeks at the library for our summer reading program, but once that ends we resume our regular Story Time schedule — they lose a day.
“The city manager and I thought this summer would be a great time to try a different approach. By bringing in the different city officials, they get to interact with the kids outside of their normal schedules and our Story Time families get several weeks’ worth of special Thursdays.”
During Thursday’s Story Time session, Klehn said, Belaire will read books about dogs and then take the children’s lead as to where the conversation turns next.
“Story Time with the City Officials” will continue next week with Councilman Talmadge “T.C.” Austin reading books to “get us ready for back to school,” Klehn said.
“We’ve actually got several back-to-school events scheduled, so Mr. Austin’s Story Time will lead directly into those activities,” Klehn said.
“Story Time with the City Officials” will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday with Councilman Belaire and at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13 with Councilman Austin.
Following Austin’s Story Time session, the library will host the following back-to-school themed events:
• A special Story Time at the Nederland Swimming Pool, located at 2301 Avenue H, from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20
• A “school time” Story Time, teaching younger siblings what their big brothers and sisters are up to while they’re away at school, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26.
The Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library is located at 2712 Nederland Ave.
For more information, call (409) 722-1255.
Twitter: @crhenderson90
