Nurturing a Love for Reading: How Open Door Library and FLY Inspire Lifelong Learners
September, 2024
As we close out National Literacy Month this September, we’re shining a spotlight on the transformative power of reading in the lives of young people on our Dobbs Ferry campus. We spoke with dedicated staff member Aida Hasanpapaj and volunteers Carol Intner, and Joanne Levine, who shared how the Open Door Library and Foundations for Literate Youth (FLY) are guiding students on how to build literacy skills through personalized book recommendations and tailored sessions led by passionate librarians, tutors, and volunteers.
For many of our students, reading hasn’t always been a regular part of their lives due to challenging past circumstances. However, through the support of FLY volunteers and the patient guidance of our librarians, students from preschoolers to high school seniors are discovering the joy of reading.
At the Open Door Library, students meet with staff during forty-five to fifty-minute sessions that are focused on both skill-building and fostering a love for literature. Unlike traditional libraries, our collection isn’t organized by the Dewey Decimal System but by subject matter, with mixed reading levels across categories.
“No student at a lower level ever needs to feel embarrassed,” said Carol. “Here, they can explore what interests them—whether it’s sharks, superheroes, or mythology.” Carol shared a memorable moment, adding, “We’re often surprised by what excites them. I remember one student who walked in and said, ‘I want to read about history,’ which isn’t something we hear too often from kids.”
Susan Meigs, Founder and Director of Open-Door Programs works with younger students and incorporates creativity into her sessions. In addition to reading books, her students embark on field trips to museums and gardens, or even build with Legos to express themselves. Younger children gravitate toward fairy tales and stories about animals, with favorite series like Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems frequently in their hands.
Aida, meanwhile, works with older students, offering tailored book suggestions based on their interests—fantasy novels being a popular choice among teens.
Our partner program, FLY, is a vibrant reading intervention initiative that spans both our organization and Greenburgh 11, the school on the Dobbs Ferry campus. It focuses on non-readers and students significantly below grade level, providing support during and after school. Many FLY sessions, like those led by Carol, begin with icebreakers to help students express themselves before diving into books specially chosen to match their interests and reading levels.
We enjoy guiding young people to acquire literacy skills and develop a love for reading. You can learn more about the Open Door Library and FLY at https://childrensvillage.org/take-action/volunteer/books-for-boys/.
