I was disheartened to hear that funding for our Sanpete County bookmobile is being cut. I believe that in this digital age, children need access to books in print form more than ever before, especially our littlest readers.
Kids need access to books from as many sources as we can provide—home, classroom, city libraries and our bookmobile. Time and time again I have seen how my students respond to printed books with an interest and sense of wonder that isn’t there when they look at books on a device. A book in the hands of a child is a magical and important thing.
When my own children were young, I felt it was so important to fill our home with lots of books and then read those books with them. They knew how much I valued the ability to read, and thankfully they fell in love with reading themselves.
Likewise, the appearance of the bookmobile every other Thursday shows our kids at school that we believe books are important. It shows that we value reading and learning. It really is a special and unique opportunity to have this amazing traveling library come right to the front doors of our school.
My first graders love to choose books on topics they are interested in. This year books about animals and creepy bugs have been especially popular. The bookmobile is another key to helping them learn to read and love books.
As a teacher and literacy advocate, I truly hope that our county commissioners will reconsider their decision and continue to provide our school children and towns with the funding necessary to keep the bookmobile going.
Amie Bigelow
Manti
Teacher, Manti
Elementary School