Gift of Reading

For many years the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library has coordinated the "Gift of Reading," a program designed to provide disadvantaged children in Vinton County with a new book as a holiday gift (see attached flyer below).  Each year, the library works in collaboration with local charitable organizations to serve the needs of several children.

The library hopes that with the gift of these materials, children will be encouraged to develop an interest in reading and learning, pursue lifelong learning skills, and meet educational objectives established in their courses of study.

Patrons who wish to participate in this program may make monetary contributions of any size directly to the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library.  However, a new book may be purchased and donated to the library, noting that it is for use with the “Gift of Reading” program.

All money collected will be used to purchase new books.

For information about this or other programs, please call (740) 596-5691 and ask to speak with Diana Johnston or Clint Walker. 

Helping Hands Christmas Angel Tree Project

Helping Hands Christmas Angel Tree Project (see attached flyer)

This event, sponsored by the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library, provides new Christmas gifts to needy children who have been identified by Job and Family Services of Vinton County. 

If you would like to sponsor a child, please stop by the Helping Hands Christmas Angel Tree on the upper floor of the library, take an Angel tag, and purchase the gift(s) labeled on the tag.  Each tag (blue for boys and pink for girls) provides the age of the child, the size (if appropriate), and the desired gift(s).  Be sure to return the Angel tag with your unwrapped Christmas gifts no later than Monday, December 9th.   If possible, you should place the Angel tag inside the gift box or affix it to the top with tape.  The Angel tag must be returned with the gift so we can identify the child for whom it has been purchased. If you are able to purchase more than one gift, feel free to take more than one Angel tag. 

Over the years, hundreds of children have received toys, clothes, and gifts through the Helping Hands Christmas Project.  For more information about other ways you can assist needy families this Christmas, please contact Job and Family Services of Vinton County at 596-2584, ext. 1201.

Thank you for participating in this worthwhile project.

We’re sure you’ll bring smiles to many children’s faces this Christmas season!

Storytime

Every Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. from September through May (except on holidays), the library provides storytime for pre-school children. 

This program gives parents an opportunity to introduce their children to reading in a fun way through the use of stories, puppet shows, and related crafts. 

According to one study, “Sharing books and activities with children are excellent ways to encourage the development of many skills in the kindergarten readiness categories, such as social and emotional, cognitive or thinking, behavioral management, approaches to learning, expressive and receptive language, phonological awareness and print knowledge, mathematics, and physical development.”

For more information about storytime, please contact Diana Johnston, Youth Services Coordinator, at (740) 596-5691.