Soroptimists Help Spruce Up Library Children's Area

From left, Leslie Stillings, Director of Youth Services is presented with $5,000 check from Soroptimist international, Rosemary Hoffman, Carol Schreiber, Heather Wanner, Kathy Yablonski, and in front, champion for the library, Emma Turner.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Regional Public Library:

In a corner of the youth department at the Pottstown Regional Public Library lay an area for children with a threadbare rug, toys overly worn from play and love.

It was a place of safety and comfort that needed some help. 

With a generous check for $5,000, Soroptimist International is helping mothers, infants and whole families use the library. 

The library now has a glider for mothers of infants to rock them to sleep as they read, a fun rug for toddlers to crawl upon, and educational toys like a large wooden car to encourage imaginative pre-literate play for pre-school aged children. 

Imaginative play and role playing help prepare young children with their social skills and exploring what they would like to do when they grow up. 

Play is an important part of learning and childhood development. 

A healthy and whole environment helps children feel worthy and respected. 

Soroptimists have given the library the means to create innovative and educational program for the children of the Pottstown area. 

Children gather at the library for storytimes with music, sign language, physical activity, gardening classes, and science experiments, while surrounded by many books to reinforce and assist in the learning and exploring of their world.

Soroptimist’s support has helped children find a place of comfort, learning, and the knowledge that they are important and their community cares.

Soroptimist’s commitment to improving the lives of women and girls, equality, education, and fellowship are helping local families use the library in ways to help fit their needs.

A Summer of Science at the Library

The Flow circus from last year's program.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Regional Public Library:

Science is the hot summer topic and several grants, including Soroptimist International of Pottstown is helping afford the girls, boys, and families of our local area free, educational, and fun summer activities at the Pottstown Regional Public Library.

Families can read for prizes including: books, a Fire Truck Tour, T-Shirts, Rita’s Water Ice and more.

They can also participate in Book Talks where they can meet the famous author.

Families can watch performers including; scientists, Hip Hop Dancers, and Artists.

Plus there are multiple hands-on activities where families can learn to garden, make a summer snowball using chemistry, create superhero space ice, learn about the science of bubbles, participate in story times, and more.

From left, Leslie Stillings –Director of Youth Services presented with $5,000 check 

from Emma Turner-Soroptimist Community Service, 

Rosemary Hoffman-Soroptimist President, and Butsy McElroy, 

Soroptimist regional governor.  

Amidst all the reading and science activities, children can feed their bellies as well as their minds with free lunches every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Soroptimist has done much work in creating opportunities for girls and women. Their generosity has helped the library spread the word about literacy and science.

Science is a field that is primarily dominated by men and summer science programs can help encourage and expose girls to the fields of engineering, technology, the arts, and math. The library is the perfect platform to give girls and boys the exposure to such possibilities in their future.
Here are also some high-lighted events:

Pizza Tasting Event: July 23 at 6:30

DJ Dance Party Lua! Aug. 12 at 5:30 

Meditation Mondays

Mondays at 10:30 Children and parents learn about meditation, mindfulness in the beginning story time.

The 'Science Hero' class from last year.

A unique and new story time experience.

Wednesday Morning Performances at 10:30

• July 16 - Marian Gehman Puppets
• July 23- Picirillo Scienceteller
• July 30 - Dinosaurs! Exploding Geoscience
• Aug. 6 - IllStyle and Peace Hip Hop Dance Group

Fun Fridays at 10:30

• July 11 - Bubblemania
• July 18 - Window Art
• July 25 - Fizz, Paint, Read

Contact Leslie Stillings, Director of Youth Services, 610-970-6551 with questions.