Exciting news! This newsletter is a guest post by local writer and educator David Rockower. We hope you enjoy it!

My elementary school teachers in the State College Area School District routinely gathered us on the carpet after recess (the perfect strategy to calm wild children) and read aloud classics like Superfudge, How to Eat Fried Worms, and Bridge to Terabithia. These stories wound their way into my heart, and I looked forward to read aloud time almost as much as recess. When teachers stopped reading aloud, I missed the stories and started devouring books on my own.

When our children were born, Michelle and I created reading routines. Every night, like my father, Michelle and I read aloud to Nathan and Maddie. When they were young, I’d lie in bed with them, my eyes growing heavy as I recited The Lorax for the three hundred and twenty-fifth time. We moved on to chapter books, enjoying titles like The BFG, Holes, and Hatchet. I still have a note tucked away in one of my journals that lists all the titles we read together.

Readers of all ages can find ways to celebrate books in State College. Each year I look forward to the AAUW State College Used Book Sale, one of the largest used book sales in the country. Not only does this event provide families the opportunity to stock up on reading material, it also brings together book-loving volunteers who work together to set up and facilitate the sale. I’ve worked as a volunteer for the last several years and love the conversations I have with other readers who make recommendations as they organize their tables.

Of course, Schlow Centre Region Library is a haven for young readers. Nathan and Maddie loved our visits to check out new titles when they were young. I can recall a young Maddie shouting in disbelief as we were checking out, “What kind of magical place lets you take as many books as you want…without paying?!” She promptly went home and proceeded to read through her stack while leaning backwards over her chair—Maddie was a champion of finding the most unique locations and positions in which to read a book. Schlow continues to offer robust summer reading programs for children and adults. Readers can also join one of three ongoing book clubs facilitated by the library.

Schlow’s Tuesday Book Club meets in-person on the third Tuesday of the month. Readers gather to discuss the month’s selection, which typically focuses on literary fiction, award winners, and bestsellers; they also include nonfiction in their rotation. The CR Active Adult Book Club meets in person during the afternoon on the second Wednesday of the month. They meet at the Nittany Mall and focus on bestselling fiction and mysteries. The Well-Read Book Club meets virtually on the fourth Wednesday of the month to discuss both fiction and nonfiction.

Readers may be surprised to learn that we are home to many local authors. State College Area School Board member, Carline Crevocouer, wrote Pressure Makes Diamonds: From Homeschooling to the Ivy League. Retired professor  J.L. Delozier wrote the mystery/thriller The Photo Thief.  Rebecca E. Hirsch has written more than 90 nonfiction, nature-focused books for children. Check out Collage, Assemblage, and Altered Art: Creating Unique Images and Objects, by local artist, Diane Maurer-Mathison. Schlow Library’s website shares news about author visits and events.

We love to explore the local downtown bookstores: Squirrel & Acorn on Allen Street offers a great selection of titles for all ages, not to mention a variety of art supplies and journals. Webster’s Bookstore Cafe is a fantastic place to browse used books and enjoy breakfast or lunch—they also have a robust vegan menu!

For the past several years, the State College School District has promoted reading and literacy with their SCASD Reads initiative. Each year, the librarians work together to focus on a different theme. Past initiatives include SCASD Reads and Hikes the Appalachian Trail (2021), SCASD Reads: You Matter! (2022) and SCASD Reads for the Planet (2023). This year’s focus area was read aloud: SCASD Reads Aloud. Each year, the project culminates in a family night that includes activities like international multi-lingual stories, special guest readers, Book Bingo, and crafts connected to reading.

Children become readers when they see the people they care about reading. They become readers when parents and teachers share stories and celebrate the power of books. Nurturing readers takes a community that’s committed to literacy. State College is a book-loving town that offers readers of all ages ample opportunities to read, discuss, and connect around stories.

Oh, and I’ve found a way to rekindle my love of read alouds: audiobooks! They have become a staple in my routine. See—we are never too old to sit on the carpet after recess and listen to someone read aloud.