Like all libraries across the country, the Gray Public Library is an advocate for literacy. Offerings such as professional story-times and hands-on crafts, introduce the young population to the wonderful world of books and imagination.

The Gray Public Library offers two story-times each week to preschool children of every age and has a substantial group of parents and children participating at least weekly, with many visiting twice a week.

Children’s Librarian Kathy George, has a background in early childhood literacy and is well respected amongst her peers for her professionalism and love of children’s education. As well as reading to the children, George has the kids singing along to music. The sound of stomping feet can often be heard on any given Wednesday and Friday as the kids sing “Here Come the Dinosaurs.”

Every other week the library offers a craft time in an effort to motivate fine motor skills. According to George, “Studies show that children introduced to the world of literacy early on, most often will go on to be advocates for literacy themselves, introduce their children to libraries, and go on to be lifelong, curiosity seeking learners.”

In addition to the story-time program, the library holds special events for kids such as an annual gingerbread program that has become an annual tradition for many families.

“The kids get more and more creative as they construct houses from milk cartons and graham crackers glued together with royal icing and decorated with brightly covered candy,” said Library Director Marie Morey. “The kids are proud of their creations, taking them home for display and telling stories of their experience for weeks to come. This isn’t just play time but learning through play, letting their imaginations take them where they will – all the while learning to share and interact with their peers.”

Children are not the only focus of the library’s efforts toward literacy. Adults benefit from simple reader’s advisory, and book groups. Library staff is always on hand to assist with research, guiding patrons to become good information learners, and assuring that they find correct and unbiased information.

Another aspect of the library’s literacy initiative is literacy through technology. In addition to high speed wi-fi available 24/7, the library offers useful databases through the Marvel link and Maine State Library, and free access to ancestry.com. From the Gray Public Library website, e-books and downloadable audio books are also available.

Director Morey explained that a good portion of the population is sometimes intimidated by today’s technology, and that the library is taking steps to provide assistance.

“Here in Gray we are now offering basic computer classes. With unemployment high, most applicants are required to file their applications online. To someone unsure of how to go about getting to the application, this process can be intimidating as well as discouraging. We strive, as time and staff availability permits, to help our patrons through this process in any way that we can. We also offer one-on-one training to our patrons on how to download electronic audio and e-books.”

Bottom line, according to Morey, “The Gray Public Library promotes literacy through books, movies, music, programming and technology. My staff strives to serve the town’s citizens through excellent customer service, confidentiality and equality.”