Longtime Library Dream Realized at Larson Elementary

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – Dreaming is one of those things that pretty much all people have in common; some dreams are fleeting and occasionally some actually come to fruition. Andrea Andera, principal of Larson Elementary School in Harrison, has held her own special dream for a long, long time – an expansive, fully available lending library for students within the walls of her school. And, as Andera would no doubt tell anyone who asks, dreams that come to fruition can be truly energizing.

This dream fulfillment recently happened at Larson after many, many months of volunteer efforts to inventory, catalog and shelve literally thousands of books. In so doing, what had been an open lobby space became an open space filled with stacks of books, which then was transformed into a well-organized, highly functional and kid-friendly library.

“All of the books and a lot of things were purchased with a donation that we received several years ago when I was at Hillside,” Andera said. “But then we saved, and it kind of built. Anytime there’s a donation, it goes into a donation account, and the people who donate have to say what they would like it to be used for. Whenever it’s an option, it would be something like this [gesturing to the library area]: buying books, shelves.”

The project’s driving force was Andera, but some of the most dogged, determined work was wrangled and provided by VFW Post 1075 Auxiliary members Marianne Argenta and CiCi Lonsway, who Andera describes as absolutely instrumental in bringing the library to fulfillment. Argenta is herself a retired teacher who is still drawn to making a difference for students, and any observer would conclude that Lonsway seems to be chronically joyful and thrilled to be part of something so consequential to children.

“They’ve cleaned out a lot of books, but then catalogued every book here,” Andera said, adding that Argenta and Lonsway logged them all in the Destiny Program. She said the kids then can have a scan card, so when they come to the library now their book checkout is recorded.

Argenta described how the volunteers are making the library function saying, “I have five volunteers, including myself, and we have a schedule Monday through Friday, so we’re here from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.”

Organizing students to access the library effectively also matters, so scheduling class visits is necessary.

“Teachers sign up for their time, and they bring their class,” Andera said. “They talk about the library space, and then the children can pick a book, and they scan the card.”

The VFW Auxiliary’s involvement is not isolated, and a similar library effort is in the offing in Mount Pleasant. To that end, Margaret Pratt, president of the VFW Post 3033 Auxiliary, has been involved with the project. Argenta affirmed that she and others would be available to help see that plan to fruition as well.

Andera couldn’t be more appreciative of their efforts and dedication to this shared dream of providing students across all the elementary grades with an opportunity to check out their own books. Argenta added that they can enjoy them at home (or in leave the books their desks or locker if they have a wild child sibling at home who they fear might damage the book), and then return them to be able to check out another.

It was noted with admiration that Lonsway had spent a lot of time online at Bookelicious this past year securing a wide selection of books for multiple ages.

“Hundreds of hours,” Argenta said, indicating Lonsway. “Hundreds of volunteer hours right here,” she added with a sweeping gesture to all the shelved books. “It’s been incredible.”

“It wouldn’t be able to be done without them,” Andera confirmed. “It truly would not have been a thing that we could have accomplished without their support.”

A newly functional project, the last shelves were installed just last week, and now the focus shifts to continuing to fill the available shelf space.

At Larson, reading is valued as a huge baseline for student success, thus it is fostered, nurtured and also held forth as a reward. That reward is always the knowledge gained and enjoyment of the reader, but at Larson it is also something more: books themselves. How so? Well, Larson has instituted a token system so that whenever a student is observed doing something that is helpful or supportive of another student, being kind or helpful – essentially embodying good character – the observer  will present the student with a token that can be redeemed in the book vending machine located just outside the new library space. There also is another book vending machine in the middle school.

“Any adult you see [in the school] and we just give them out freely,” Andera said.

Andera noted that this book rewarding is an opportunity not only to foster a love of reading, but also moments that can help to mold positive character traits that can last and serve the child well for a lifetime.

“Just watching the kids come and select their book and then guard it,” Andera said. “They hold it down the hallway and they’re so excited.”

Argenta said many students have been surprised they could take the book home and didn’t have to buy it. “They understand now that if they don’t bring them back, they can’t get another one out,” she said.

Andera added that she won’t charge kids for books, but if something happens and in a couple weeks the book is “a gonner,” something else will be figured out.

“It’s just something I’m going to have to budget with,” she said. “When we have Scholastic Book Fairs, we get dollar points, so that’s something I use to fund the books, and also library bound books.”

Pratt noted that the District VFW is also a source to be accessed for books.

“So, the love just keeps coming,” Andera said.

“And that’s what we want,” Argenta added.

While Andera and the volunteers were sharing their library-building experience and plans to fill up those remaining book shelves, as if on cue, a student strolled up to the book vending machine to redeem a token. There was a clink, then the familiar product drop thud. And, rather than a candy bar, the student obtained what rightly could be called brain candy – a book to savor and keep as his very own.

The long-term effectiveness of this dedicated volunteer effort will no doubt see the Larson Library remain a never-ending story.