2024 Summer Reading Program

From June 11-June 28, 2024, more than eighty children registered for an action packed, activity filled three-week Reading and Summer Learning Adventure at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library on Saipan. Children ages 6 years to 12 years of age explored our CNMI State Library this summer as the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library presented this year’s summer reading program theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library” centered around visits to multiple destinations around the world with a focus on our indigenous cultural activities.

During the summer, children and teens who are not reading or participating in other learning activities can lose up to two months of academic skills achieved during the school year. According to Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and New York’s State Librarian Bernard A. Margolis, “Study shows that students lose 2 months (22%) of reading during the summer. Public libraries, through their summer reading programs, put books in the hands of children. This is the best antidote for the ‘summer slide’ in children’s reading achievement. Access to books and library programs over the summer results in more reading which, in turn, results in improved reading skills.”  Younger students and low-income students are the most prone to summer learning loss.  The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the already existing problem with summer learning loss.  As a result, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library continues to provide our CNMI students with increased summer literacy opportunities.

Throughout the course of the three-week on-site program, children took part in a reading challenge by reading 30 books this summer; connecting with others through the power of stories; STEM activities; computer classes on coding and how to navigate the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library website www.cnmilib.org to access virtual learning resources; art and painting activities; learning about healthy eating; coconut painting; civic discussions; utilizing recyclable materials in all hands-on activities; touring the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (learning about the library’s history and departments); learning about our local culture and history and how to conduct research about the Marianas and Micronesia utilizing JKPL’s Pacific Room; calisthenics, painting samurai and cherry blossoms, creating bookmarks, learning basic hula, foreign language immersion, crafting making activities–paper leis, paper sombreros, maracas, music making, team building activities,  exploring around the world through books and activities by visiting Japan,  Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Philippines, CNMI and so much more!  Participating children were nourished by the CNMI Public School System’s Child Nutrition Program.  

The JKPL’s Summer Reading Program goals are for infants through preschoolers to read 10 books; elementary school students, 30 books; high school students/adults, 10 books. A completion certificate will be available to all who sign up and complete their goals. The Teen/Adult Program must submit their reading logs via READsquared by/before July 31, 2024 in order to participate in the Reading Challenge and vie for the Most Books Read Award in their respective categories.  Moreover, JKPL will award a Top Reader’s Prize to Early Literacy, Children, Teen, and Adult, for participants who complete their reading goals at the end of the Program. Our newest award – the Family of Readers Award— will be continuing for a 3rd time this year. Top readers will receive library swag and gift certificates from our sponsors.

What Children and Families said about the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program:

• • “[I enjoyed] the field trips and the computers.”—Peyton Songsong
  • “I liked that we got to do lots of different activities, trips, and presentations. I liked when we did fun games.” –Kyra Sablan Tarkong
  • “I enjoyed doing crafts, learning about countries, and reading different books.”—Aiko Castro Tenorio
  • “I enjoyed the reading and the field trips.”—Amlesh David Jha
  • “I loved when we visited ARRF and enjoyed myself when we visited Hawaii.”—Keanu Pangelinan
  • “My daughter Alexandra really enjoyed her summer reading program experience at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. She loves the library and all the friendly and helpful staff! She loved travelling virtually to Japan, Philippines, China, Mexico, CNMI, Polynesia, and Hawaii. She loves learning about different languages and cultures most especially. Alexandra researched all the locations ahead of time on google maps and loved all the hands-on and reading activities!”—Beth Demapan (parent)
  • “I really enjoyed my time here at summer cap. I really liked my teacher Ms. Nicole.”—Cherese Palacios
  • “I enjoyed every minute of it!”—Maegan Sablan
  • “The Summer Reading Program is fun! I enjoyed my visit here, all the activities, and especially the books!”—Asher Daniel Bejerano
  • “I like how excited my son Nathan Gabriel Vidal is every day to attend the program. He is always learning new things.” –Grace Vidal (parent)
  • “I enjoyed how much fun my son Ljiam Agustin gets, and the stuff he learns every day.”—Leah Agustin (parent)
  • “I enjoyed the field trips and learned about other countries; enjoyed all the outdoor activities. I learned a lot from the program. Extend the program to full days and more than 3 weeks. Thank you.” –Leland Ogumoro-Kintol
  • “Fun and eventful! Awesome program!” –Kayami Kaipat
  • “I enjoyed meeting new people, reading books, and learning new topics.” –Francisco Villagomez
  • My daughter Ai Nonogaki loves crafting, so she had a lot of fun crafting and painting. It seems that the visit to the Judiciary was interesting. She says she had a lot of fun crafting. She loves books and libraries. Thank you always.”—Yuichi Nonogaki mom
  • “So much activities for the kids. Everyday my daughter is excited to go back. Looking forward to more programs with JKPL.”—Janae Cabrera
  • “I enjoyed my summer program at the JKPL. I hope to come back again.”—Marai Helgen
  • “The JKPL has outdone themselves once again! It was a spectacular onsite summer reading program that my grandchildren will forever cherish!”—Vincent Sablan(grandparent)
  • “I feel confident that my child Braden learned a lot and every morning it is nice to see all the staff smiling!” – Penelope Ibanez (parent)
  • “The staff are very nice and kind. Thank you very much all of you! I am enjoying my visit to the library because my daughter Brienne is so happy to learn and so excited to explore and experience so many things. Thank you very much to all of you!”—Erica May Dizon (parent)
  • “I liked that each week we went to different places like the Courthouse, the American Memorial Park, and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility (ARFF). I like that we have a book log to keep track of how many books we read, how many pages that we read on the books, what is it about, how much time did we spend reading it? I liked that there was a lady that works at the Turtle Preservation Program who tells us about turtles and how many there are left and  how they look like. I liked how we made a sombrero out of papers, and other supplies as a group, and that we tried our best with all our strength. The most important and my ultimate favorite things about the library is that they provide snacks, drinks, food, and a lot of fun activities. I most especially like all the staffs and volunteers. They are all nice, kind, funny, amazing, creative, and special to all of us students. I love you all!”—Venetia’na Sablan
  • “I loved making new friends. It was so fun at the Courthouse. We got to ask questions to the Justices. I love all the teachers and staff. I loved painting, reading, visiting Hawaii, Philippines, Mexico, Japan, China, CNMI!”—Keara Crisostomo
  • “I liked making friends; going on field trips; riding the bus; making origami dogs and ice cream.”—Kalie Rayes
  • “I loved visiting Japan, and watching the Saipan Awaodori.”—Aldebert Lizama
  • “One of the things I learned was about the turtles. I learned that they are almost extinct, and that there are only 2 types of turtles in Saipan that are green sea turtles and Hawksbill. I loved making more friends.”—Gwen Retardo
  • “My favorite part is the field trip to American Memorial Park on my birthday (6/21/2024). I had so much fun. I also liked the trip to the Courthouse.” –Sera Guerrero
  • “I liked visiting the Courthouse; bird watching; crafted egg things; saw sea turtles; listened to Chinese music; crafted hats; visited ARFF and saw Sparky the firemen’s dog; and when we visited the American Memorial Park, we saw a movie, saw watermelon crabs, and saw an almost extinct bird.”—Kodie Sablan Tarkong

What Teens/Volunteers said about the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program:

• • “The environment felt very welcoming and family-like, and I will have many memories to cherish and learn from. It is a great experience for learning how to build character and take on big responsibilities.”—Arwen Bartolata
  • “I enjoyed being appreciated for volunteering during the summer reading program.”—Sunny Ma
  • “I really loved all the appreciation and activities.”—Johanna Mogar
  • “I enjoyed the activities and field trips we got to experience. One of my favorite highlights was going to the court.”—Nickole Eugenio
  • “I enjoyed all the field trips and the fun we had with the kids. I feel as if all the things we did created a bond amongst volunteers and kids. Enjoyable!” – Angel Jireh Tengco
  • “I really like spending time in the library. I really enjoyed spending time with the kids during the summer reading program.”—Kenny Lian
  • “I enjoyed everything! I learned a lot of things. Japan was fun! I liked making origami. I like everything! It was fun!”—Min You
  • “The environment felt very welcoming and family-like, and I will have many memories to cherish and learn from. It is a great experience for learning how to build character and take on big responsibilities.”—Arwen Bartolata
  • “What I enjoyed was interacting with my peers and doing my service by helping children read and encouraging positive interactions. I learned how to apply myself in a positive environment to give to my community.” – Ma. Lourdes Carino
  • “I was able to interact and communicate with other individuals, which resulted in confidence and communication improvement. I also felt proud since I helped other people.”—Felix Choi
  • “I had a great experience, and I gained confidence.”—Margarette Claveria
  • “I enjoyed a lot while volunteering here. I learned how to build connections with other people, and to also be more of a teacher than just a volunteer. I enjoyed this program so much, and I hope to do more volunteering in this library!”—Precious Agustin
  • “I love it! I enjoyed helping the kids and having fun!”—Reesa Borja
  • “I enjoyed a lot about the program. Firstly, all the kids here were so lively, and I became close with some of them. I also loved the activities we did every week on different countries. In conclusion, it is very fun, and I will definitely join again!” – Jazz Mallari