Missouri River Regional Library and Belair Elementary School won the Outstanding Partnership Award for their efforts to enhance kindergarten reading skills, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce announced in a news release Friday.
Each year, the Chamber of Commerce Partners in Education Committee asks the chamber's business and school partnerships to submit applications sharing the highlights of their relationships.
The committee then selects a partnership that "displays creativity, dedication and commitment to the students and each other," according to information on the Chamber of Commerce website.
Each Belair kindergarten class goes to the library monthly so staff members Donna Loehner or Eric Lyon can read to the students. Lyon said he enjoys reading to kindergarten classes because it gives him the opportunity to share more complex stories than he does each week at preschool storytimes.
"Several of the children we see in the classrooms are former preschool storytime participants, so it's nice to witness their progression and continue to be a part of it," Lyon said in a news release from the Chamber of Commerce.
The goal of this partnership is to enhance reading skills and to help students see reading as enjoyable, said Angi Baugher, director of finance, education and administration at the chamber. "When these students attend the library, it helps them become more familiar with the layout and offerings. It helps students to be more comfortable with the library and to see it as a dynamic space rather than just a house for books."
MRRL staff also participate in other school events, including Belair's Open House Night and Literacy Night. These events provide an opportunity for the library staff to offer stories for children and meet parents to highlight the activities the public library offers and help them sign up for library cards. Students have also used the library's bookmobile, a truck that offers books and makes stops throughout the community, including the schools.
Belair Elementary Principal Elizabeth Milhollin said she enjoys the school's partnership with the library because it supports the district's goal of every student reading at or above grade level.
"They are all about helping students love reading," Milhollin said in a news release.