Behind the scenes: Librarian shares magic of reading


By Greg Olson - [email protected]



This is part of an occasional series about people involved behind the scenes of the region’s schools.

Leslie Forsman of Chapin works in her element, surrounded by hundreds of friends she has met over the years.

As Triopia school librarian, it has been her job since 1991 to introduce students to those friends who live on in the books they wrote.

“I focus on encouraging students’ pleasure reading,” she said. “Much of students’ reading is based on the fundamental skills of reading, but they also need to read for fun.”

Among Forsman’s methods to encourage reading, the students actively participate in statewide Readers’ Choice Awards programs.

The Readers’ Choice Awards programs are divided into four grade groups — kindergarten through third grade; third through fifth grade; fourth through eighth grade; and ninth and 12th grade. Students at some grade levels may participate in multiple Readers’ Choice Awards programs.

“I provide the books on each of the Readers’ Choice Awards nominees’ lists,” Forsman said. “We read aloud, encourage the students to do leisure reading and summarize the books to help pique students’ interest in the titles.”

In the spring, students who have read the required number of books are eligible to vote for their favorite on their Readers’ Choice list.

“The Readers’ Choice programs help encourage pleasure reading by rewarding the students with the opportunity of voting for their favorite,” Forsman said.

The longtime librarian said she has seen a shift in students’ involvement over the years in the additions to Triopia’s library.

“In my early years, new books were selected by the Triopia school district staff and librarian,” Forsman said. “In recent years, the students have become more interested in suggesting titles or authors they want to read. My kids get excited when a book they’ve requested comes in.”

In addition to serving as Triopia’s librarian, Forsman wears several other hats in the Triopia school district. She teaches a career exploration class and a Quest class at the junior high and also serves on various school committees, works concessions, greets school buses at the grade school and is co-sponsor of the Reader Leader program at the junior high.

“Two of the best things about being at Triopia are the kids and matching them with books they love,” Forsman said. “I love it when kids get excited about reading.”

http://myjournalcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_triopialibrarian0829-1.jpg

By Greg Olson

[email protected]

Greg Olson can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1224, or on Twitter @JCNews_Greg.

Greg Olson can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1224, or on Twitter @JCNews_Greg.

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