Fifth Annual Read Fest

VALDOSTA -- More than 165 area pre-kindergarten students enjoyed read-a-louds, puppet shows and reading-related crafts during the fifth annual Read Fest on Valdosta State University’s front lawn Friday, April 15.

Held in celebration of National Library Week, Read Fest was hosted by VSU Odum Library in collaboration with the College of Education to promote reading, learning and libraries. Between stories, tattoos and sing-along songs, the children also had refreshments and got to chat with Mother Deb Goose (Deborah Van Petten, Odum Library reference librarian).

“We believe that this is a critical time in the children’s development, so we want to promote the importance of books and reading as early as possible,” said Michael Holt, Odum Library reference librarian and marketing coordinator. “We especially appreciate the International Student Council for Reading for volunteering during the event and providing books for all of the students to take home.”

Sponsored by the American Library Association, National Library Week celebrates the contributions of the nation’s libraries and librarians and encourages library use and support. Odum library is one of the thousands of school, public, academic and special-service libraries across the country that observed this year’s theme, “Create Your Own Story @ Your Library.”



For more information about the American Library Association, visit www.ala.org.