Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
On a recent Wednesday at the Downtown Main Library, 70 second graders from Delshire Elementary filed into the South Building’s atrium and headed up the Social Stairs to meet local author, Alexis Wintrob, who shared her writing process. The class then headed downstairs for crafts and a scavenger hunt.
This is Adopt a Class, a partner organization that connects schools with free field trips with local authors. Every Wednesday, between 20 to 75 kids visit the Downtown Main Library with four rotating featured authors.
“The kids get to actually hear from an author and figure out how a book is actually written and made,” said Branch Supervisor Caroline Hoffman. “All of the authors talk about the writing process, fiction and nonfiction, how they came up with a story, and where the ideas came from.”
Connecting Students with Local Authors
Alexis has written two children’s books: Za Za’s Scent-Sational Super Power and Za Za Spreads Sweetness, both of which were illustrated by Shera Serrulha. The books draw from her experience in perfumery during her time at Procter & Gamble. Blending both art and science, the books help kids explore their sense of smell and how it connects to memory.
Za Za's Scent-sational Super Power
Alexis got connected with Adopt a Class last year. Having the chance to get in front of kids to share her books has been one of her favorite author experiences.
“My goal and my hope are that it is a very memorable experience for the kids. Some of the kids haven’t been to a Library or [to the Downtown Main Library],” said Alexis. “Seeing free access to great opportunities, stories, and creative outlets... is just the best. I hope they take that away and, today, hopefully they see that you don’t have to be one thingwhen you grow up. You can explore so many different things, even if you don’t know where to start.”
Exploring Community with Adopt a Class
Adopt a Class makes field trips for local schools free, including their busing. They currently serve over 12,500 students from kindergarten to 8th grade in 59 schools across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Along with the Library, Adopt a Class partners with dozens of other organizations in the area.
“This fits in really well with what we’re doing right now in terms of our writing program and our language arts program,” said Cara, a teacher at Delshire Elementary. “This has been great for us today.”
Cara also said that it helps students make connections to home. The elementary school is near the Delhi Township Branch Library, but many of the students hadn’t experienced the Downtown Main location prior to the visit. She said the students were impressed with the number of books.
The school also utilizes CHPL for Teacher Collections to help supplement the school’s own collection of books.
“[Library staff] drops them off at our office every month. We have it set up so they align with our curriculum and what we’re teaching. Currently, we’re doing Civil Rights heroes. We have all sorts of books to go along with that.”
Classroom and Library Visits
Outside of the Adopt a Class program, the Library offers field trips to any of our 41 locations or classroom visits. Learn more at CHPL.org/visits.
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