Tarkington stuffs Indian Trails for Family Literacy Night

The normally quiet ambiance associated with the Indian Trails Public Library buzzed with life during the early evening hours of Wednesday, January 29, as students and families from Tarkington Elementary School spilled in through the automatic doors for the school’s Family Literacy Night.

The two-hour event gave the Tarkington community a chance to explore the many services offered by the library; work on a variety of science, technology, engineering, art and math projects; listen to several staff members read books aloud; sign up for a library card; receive a free book donated by the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove; and complete a scavenger hunt to take home an exclusive sticker.

“Family Literacy Night is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to come together and celebrate the joy of reading,” said Amy Breiler, director of teaching and learning for literacy. “Events like this foster a love for books, strengthen literacy skills, and build a lifelong connection to learning. We’re so proud to partner with Indian Trails to create such a meaningful experience for the Tarkington community.”

By the end of the evening, 360 students and family members piled into the library, with 151 Tigers taking home a free book. A further 10 students and family members took time to sign up for a library card.

“Hosting schoolwide literacy events fosters a long-term culture of literacy by engaging students and families in educational activities together,” said Ryann Rivers, library, media and enrichment specialist at Tarkington. “When students and families engage together they establish routines that put literacy and learning at the forefront.”

The district has three more Family Literacy Nights on the calendar: Kilmer Elementary School from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26; Twain Elementary School from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 10; and Hawthorne Early Childhood School from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 20.