Final summer pop-up library draws at least 250 people to Viking Stadium
Published 8:58 am Friday, August 23, 2019
Niles Community Schools mascot Viktor Viking poses for a photo with local royalty. Mr. Niles 2019 David Haynes, left, and USA National Miss Michigan Payton Morris, right, pose with him at Wednesday evening’s Back-to-School Kickoff event at Viktor’s home stadium. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Niles High School football team members prepare their crates of books sorted by reading level as Niles students approach to choose a free book. It was the core event of Wednesday evening’s Back-to-School Kickoff at Viking Stadium. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Members of Niles High School’s cheerleading team walk on the track as they prepare to perform for a Back-to-School Kickoff crowd. Wednesday evening’s pop-up library and free food event drew between 250 and 350 people to Viking Stadium. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Members of the Niles High School marching band drumline perform in front of the Back-to-School Kickoff crowd Wednesday evening. Other Niles High students volunteered by passing out free books or helping attendees. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Attendees of Back-to-School Kickoff pause to eat hot dogs and chips from Niles Community Schools’ Meet Up & Eat Up program near Viking Stadium bleachers. The summer food service provided free meals to Niles students and $3 meals to anyone else at the Wednesday evening event. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Members of Niles Community Schools’ Meet Up & Eat Up pass out hot dogs, chips and water at Back-to-School Kickoff at Niles’ Viking Stadium Wednesday evening. The program provided free meals throughout the summer. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
The Hawaiian Ice food truck was in attendance at Niles Community Schools’ Back-to-School Kickoff event Wednesday at Viking Stadium. It sold treats for under $5 to attendees. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Jamal Henry, of South Bend public television station WNIT, hands out free coloring books, placemats, bandages and crayons featuring children’s public television show characters. The booth was set up at Wednesday night’s Back-to-School Kickoff event. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Volunteers at Wednesday evening’s Back-to-School Kickoff at Niles High School’s Viking Stadium help parents and children sign up for a free book. The event was the last of 13 pop-up libraries this summer, which each provided free books to Niles students. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
Members of Niles High School’s girl’s cross country team and football team pose for a picture at Back-to-School Kickoff Wednesday night. They volunteered at the event in Viking Stadium, whose core program was giving a free book to every attending Niles student. (Leader photo/BEAU BROCKETT JR.)
NILES — When Darla Schneider prepared to start a series of pop-up libraries that distributed free books during this summer, she said she had a “Field of Dreams” dilemma, referring to a famous scene from the movie: If Niles Community Schools built up the program, would people come?
They did, Schneider said.
The second year of pop-up libraries ended Wednesday evening at Niles High School’s Viking Stadium on Eagle Street. It was the core component of Back-to-School Kickoff, an event meant to celebrate the end of summer and the start off the school year right.
“If one person gets a book, then it’s a great night,” said Schneider, who is the volunteer coordinator for the district.
Between 250 and 350 people attended, about double the 70 to 170 people who attended the 12 pop-up libraries at Niles area locations earlier this summer.
“The summer libraries have been phenomenal,” Schneider said. “It went above and beyond our expectations.”
The books were arranged into crates by reading level, with Niles High football players manning each crate. Niles students could choose one book, then help themselves to a free dinner provided by the district’s Meet Up & Eat Up program. Performances by members of the Niles’ marching band and cheerleading team were also provided.
The mission was the same as the other 12 pop-up libraries of the summer, said Ring Lardner Middle School English teacher and organizer Cody Armstrong.
“The goal was to get kids to enjoy reading and to give them something to look forward to,” he said.
Organizer and Assistant Superintendent Donna Roark said the pop-up libraries helped the district encourage many students to read over the summer, which it believes is essential for effective learning and for developing an interest in reading.
“If you do a traditional summer school program, you’re only helping the kids at Niles that need the most help,” she said. “With pop-up libraries, you’re reaching all the kids.”
After adjusting library sites and making plans to better promote its culminating event, Roark said the district intends to continue the program for summers to come, continuing a financial partnership with United Way of Southwest Michigan.
