Preschool reading program offered through local library

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT staff writer
Russellville City offers a variety of services to the community including a preschool reading program each Tuesday, September through May.
"We follow the school calendar to make it easier on parents with school children," Martha Lendecker, parent, said.
The program combines story telling with arts and crafts. Each session two stories are read to the children, and each child completes a craft project, Lanette Burcham, storyteller, said.
Burcham became the storyteller in September, and will continue through December. She is currently working on a teaching degree at Northwest Shoals Community College, and receives college credit for her work with the preschool group.
Before Burcham began working with the kids, parents presented the program to the kids each week, Burcham said.
"Right now we only have four kids coming regularly, but in the past we have had between 10 and 12 kids," Lendecker said.
Lendecker used to bring both her children until her oldest child started kindergarten. Now, she brings her youngest son, Trey, age 4, to hear a story, and to be with other kids. A large percentage of group members started school this year, and it needs new members,
"I stayed at home with my kids, and this gives us all a break from each other," Lendecker said.
The preschool reading program is free to everyone. The library pays for the crafts supplies. The programs receive occasional donations of art supplies as well, Burcham said.
In addition to the preschool reading program, the Russellville Library has a bookstore. The Friends of the Library maintains the bookstore for the library. The bookstore sells donated books as a way to help fund library projects, Martha Helt, library volunteer and bookstore coordinator, said.
"We have a good selection [of books] that would be great for gift giving," Helton said.
Every penny the bookstore brings in goes to support the library. Before going to another book store, it would be a good idea to drop by and see what the library has to offer, Helton said.
"Most of the money we get from the bookstore is used to purchase new books that can be checked out," Deborah Burnett, librarian, said.
Franklin County residents can obtain a library card for free. However, non-residents are required to pay $10 per year to obtain their library cards. The library card must be presented when checking out books, Burnett said.
The library also has DVD and VHS available for check out for library members. Items can be checked out for a two-week period. There is a late fee penalty for all late items, Burnett said.
Library hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm. Everyone is encouraged to visit the library.