Summer time finds the W. Anne Gibson – Esmond Station Library (WAG –ESL) filled with activity for all ages in the cool of the library located at 10931 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way.
Beginning Thursday, June 1, 2023, Summer Learning kicked off with reading trackers filled with activities families can do together to enhance kids’ reading skills over the summer months.
The Pima County Public Library Summer program began in June at all 27 library locations with the annual free book giveaway for children and teens, and continues while supplies last. Libraries have also been hosting fun and free program for kids of all ages, and to help students engage in self-directed learning, there is a reading tracker with age-appropriate activities. It also includes messages for parents about the importance of reading, and ideas of ways to support their children’s reading, said Managing Librarian at the WAG-ESL Mary McKinney.
An Open House as held on Saturday, June 3 at the library. In the kid’s room was face painting with Vanya and a free book from a wide variety of selections, books for all ages, including books in English and Spanish, from the Pima County Library. In the community room were giant games of Bananagrams, checkers, and Connect Four, along with tables and chairs to sit at while enjoying a piece of cake from the two large sheet cakes. Pima County Library Staff were present to register newcomers with library cards and to check out books. Friend’s Vice President Tanya Hoose served as the chair of the event with Friend’s Board of Director members assisting with the event. The gate counter showed 319 people and one dog. The crowd was diverse, with twice as many children as adults.
According to managing librarian McKinney, a typical 8-hour day in May averages about 150 people a day, so 319 people for a 3-hour period is fantastic, and 152 new library cards is astounding!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 19, 2023 for one of the Friends Book Sales from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the community room at the library. Rows of tables, filled with gently used books for all ages, are reasonably priced at $1.00 for paperbacks, and $2 for a hard cover novel.
The next board member of the Friends of the WAG-ESL will be held on the third Wednesday of the month at 3 p.m. in the community room of the library. The Friends have three board slots that they have never recruited to fill. If you think it might be interesting to apply for a position on the Board, please contact anegibson7975@aol.com for an application. We are particularly looking for people with strong upper body strength who are willing to help with picking up boxes of books, and setting up and tearing down book sales.
Take an opportunity to the see the Friend’s new web site at esmondfriends@org. created by our own Jessica Harrington. You might want to join, be a Friend, and become a member.
Members of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library stand eagerly at the front entrance to the library to welcome the public to an Open House. In the front row left to right is Secretary Kristina Knauer, Sharon Goodberlet, President Anne Gibson, Open House chair and Friend’s Vice President Tanya Hoose, Jessica Harrington and David Stitt. Looking over from the back row are Mark Favetti, Greg Kempi and Janice Allen.
Whittley “Anne” Gibson is a third generation Tucsonan and alumni of the University of Arizona. She has been an active community member in the greater Vail area since the late 1970s.
