Lounge helping students, tutors connect

Emma * is a bright, talented high school sophomore. She works hard in school and cares about her grades. But, grades aren’t the most important thing. She genuinely wants to understand what she is learning so that she can feel like she is doing well.

She loves math, but she admits that it doesn’t love her. She just doesn’t understand it. She’s willing to put in the time and concentration to get it, but she felt that it had never come naturally to her. No one had ever asked her why and no one had ever told her she could be good at math.

Last week, while casually chatting with Kimber, the library’s teen services coordinator, in the Teen Lounge, Emma confessed her struggles with math. “I love math,” she said, “I’m just not good at it.”

Across the hall, not 10 steps from the Teen Lounge, math tutor Carl was getting ready to leave since the student he was supposed to meet didn’t show up. Knowing this, Kimber suggested that Emma introduce herself to Carl to see if he could help.

A while later, Emma came back to the Teen Lounge and exclaimed, “I understand it! My math was so easy today!” In that one session, Emma realized that she was good at math and Carl told her so.

“She is one of the most gifted students I have ever worked with,” Carl told Kimber.

The aforementioned experience would not have happened if not for the new Rotary Teen Lounge. We might see teens socializing, gaming, and blowing off steam after school, but much more is happening there. They are also finding a place of their own with adults and peers who care.

The Rotary Teen Lounge sees between 30 and 60 teens from 7th to 12th grade every day. They do homework, have some snacks, listen to music, collaborate on art projects and games, and they meet kids from other schools and homeschool that they would not have had the opportunity to meet. They give and take advice with Kimber who is always in the Teen Lounge during open hours. She gives the teens ownership of the space to dictate what structured programs, if any, will take place there.

The library’s Teen Lounge and Lifelong Learning Center tutors have made a difference in the lives of many teens. If you or your teenager would like more information about these services, contact Kimber in the Teen Lounge at 208-263-6930, extension 1245, or Mike in the Lifelong Learning Center at extension 1243.

(* Her name has been changed to protect her privacy.)

We hope to also see you this week at one or more of our classes, workshops, or events.

- Saturday, Dec. 1 — Sandpoint Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Large private collection of gift-worthy cookbooks, beautiful art books, and Christmas craft, design, and decorating books. Get CDs, 10 for $1 and find other great deals.

- Saturday, Dec. 1 — Bella Note’ Choir Concert, 10:30 a.m. Bella Note’ students will share a special singing performance. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 4 — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. New format, six-week sessions. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers birth to 3 years old and their caregivers with stay-and-play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 4 — Preschool Stories, 11 a.m. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 4 and Thursday, Dec. 6 — Seventh and eighth grade math homework help, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. Tutors are available for drop-in math help. Information: 208-265-2665 or mike@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 4 — Robotics, 3 -5 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch. Explore STEAM with Lego Mindstorm robotics. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesday, Dec. 4 — Explore Virtual Reality – open sessions. 3-6 PM, drop-in 15-minute sessions. Explore the world with Google Earth VR, swim in the deep sea, go on a virtual tour, play arcade style games or walk a plank suspended from an 80-story building - all from the safety of The Library! First come, first served. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930 ext.1251.

- Tuesday, Dec. 4 and Thursday, Dec. 6 ­— Knitting Class for Kids. 3:30 PM. Geared for 3rd-6th graders. Make hats for Christmas presents. A four-session class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Preregistration is required: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 4 — MAGIC the Gathering, 3:30-5 p.m. Teens meet in Community Room B to play the game, MAGIC. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Dec. 5 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8.

- Wednesday, Dec. 5 — Seventh and eighth grade math homework help, 2-3 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. Tutors are available for drop-in math help. Information: 208-265-2665 or mike@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Dec. 5 — Make It - Christmas, 4-6 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. Teens work on a variety of Christmas projects throughout the month of December. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Dec. 5 — 3D Printing Workshop, 4-6 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch. Design your own 3D printed object and learn some fascinating ways 3D printers are being used. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for this beginner-level class: 208-266-1321.

- Thursday, Dec. 6 — Infant Lapsit, 10 a.m. A rhyme program for pre-walkers and their caregivers. Six-week sessions. Pre-registration is required: Suzanne Davis 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, Dec. 8 — Explore Virtual Reality-reserve sessions, 2-4 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Explore the world with Google Earth VR, swim in the deep sea, go on a virtual tour, play arcade style games or walk a plank suspended from an 80-story building — all from the safety of The Library! Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Clark Fork Autumn Reading Program — Programis for all ages. Read between now and Dec. 1 and record the name of each book, full magazine, or book on tape with the author’s name. For each completed item, earn a library bidding dollar for use in the Holiday Silent Auction on Dec. 7-8. For more information contact the Clark Fork Library.

- Sunday, Nov. 11-March 1 — The Library’s Winter Reading Challenge. For toddlers through teens. Register for the Winter Reading Challenge to log your reading and read-to-me time for prizes, drawings, and a party! Details at ebonnerlibrary.org. Contact Suzanne Davis for more information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Animal’s Santa” by Jan Brett at Dover City Park and “Merry Moosey Christmas” by Lynn Plourde at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.