The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center, in conjunction with the East Hampton Library, officially launched a new program Friday, Book Time by the Book Mobile. Children in the 3-K (preschool for 3-year-olds) and prekindergarten programs received their own library cards and were given a quick lesson on how to borrow a new book every two weeks.
The youngsters excitedly lined up to receive their cards from Alexandra Giambruno, the library’s head of children’s services, and staffers at the center. Children were then guided along a table full of books, where they could pick out titles.
Joan Overlock, the director of development at the center, said parents had been encouraged to set aside a time for family reading at home and given guidance on how to engage their child in the story. In addition, children would take turns reading their chosen books in the classroom with the help of teachers, who would facilitate a discussion of each story.
“Part of early childhood education is to instill habits and traits that will help children become enthusiastic learners. What they do in these early years shapes their future academic careers,” Tim Frazier, the center’s executive director, said in a release.
Ms. Overlock added that it will instill a sense of responsibility in caring for books and returning them on time.
Among the students, Ileana selected “A Round of Robins” for her reading material. Lopez picked the Spanish version of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” Jackson said he chose “Gossie,” a book about a small gosling, because he was going to read it to his dog and cat.
The idea for the literacy program came from Judith Schneider, an Eleanor Whitmore board member who was present at the launch.
“A bookmobile has served communities in the United States since the late 1800s, before there was a car in every garage, television, and devices to access information,” Ms. Schneider wrote in an email to The Star. She also pointed out that reading time in the classroom “provides training in the discipline of listening respectfully, retelling the story in your own words, hearing what others think about the story. In this way [children] learn that others have different thoughts and opinions. The literacy program provides the foundation for critical thinking.”
In all, 57 library cards were issued that day.