Though the Stuart Public Library featured several special performances during their summer reading program, a weekly program might have the most long-term effects on the kids who participated. For nine weeks the library hosted Lego Club with two elements: building project and “show and tell.”

Library Director Lisa Sherman talks about the fundamentals the kids learned during the “show and tell” portion of the weekly event. “Each week they would learn a different facet of how to present their item. So maybe it was make eye contact. Maybe it was speak louder. Another week was speak clearly. So by the time the nine weeks were up, (for) these kids, there’s no reason to have any fear. They can go and talk in front of their classmates at school.”

The library has been seeing a positive trend in summer reading program participation during the last three years. This year 80 children were registered, in comparison to 60 in 2017 and 41 in 2016.