Evelyn Gathu, director at the Crystal Falls District Community Library, believes this to be very important. The partnership she has with the Forest Park Schools is one that is very important to her, and she has been trying very hard to connect with students and teachers since she began her job in April 2019.

In August 2019, the library board decided all Forest Park students, regardless of where they live, were entitled to a free library card. During the 2019-2020 school year, the library made 198 library cards for students.

Gathu loves when the classes come down to the library for a tour, and then follow it up with repeat visits to check out books. Last school year they had nearly every grade coming. It has been a bit more difficult this school year with COVID-19 restrictions, but the third, fourth and fifth grades have visited.

The students do not just come to the library — the library also has been going to the school, she said.

The pre-KINDERGARTEN and kindergarten classes at Forest Park School District received a gift-wrapped copy of the book “Always Together at Christmas” from the Crystal Falls Community Library as part of the library’s partnership with the school. From left, in front are Claire Kokotovich, Hali Ziegler, Kristien Davis, Evelyn Shamion, Ryan McCole, Ethan Davis, Georgia deKoster and Sven Cousineau; in back are teacher Chelsea Skogman, Arnold Ross, Nolan Perry, Brielle Pascenti, Rachel Kurtz, Maradee Simbob, Josephine Ruscinski, ChasityAnn Fredricks, Jaylin Jean, Cruz Santilli, August Anderson and teacher Claire Davis.

This year, the library sponsored a visit from Troy Graham, a poet and musician from the Marquette area. He gave a poetry workshop to the sixth- through eighth-grade students in November. This was his second visit. Last year he came to work with the entire secondary school, and he is slated to have another poetry workshop with the whole secondary school again in April to help celebrate Poetry Month.

On Nov. 27, the library sponsored a visit by Beanie Leffler of Florence, Wis., who read her book “Never Give Up!…Beanie’s Story” to each class in first through third grades. Her book is an amazing tale about her own personal struggles with reading and how the discovery of vision therapy has helped her.

“The students were very engaged with her as she discussed her book with them and its underlying message of how you need to never give up and keep trying when it comes to things that challenge you,” Gathu said.

On Dec. 16, the library presented a gift-wrapped copy of the book “Always Together at Christmas,” written by Sara Sargent and illustrated by Mark Chambers, for each pre-kindergarten and kindergarten student. The picture book is a heart-warming tale of how even though Christmas may be different in 2020, it still is a special holiday. At the back of the book, it gives advice to families on how they can alter their traditions or even make new ones to keep safe during the holiday season.

The Crystal Falls District Library was fortunate to be awarded a grant funded by the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund. This grant will be used to have two programs with two regional authors.

Beanie Leffler presents a copy of her book to Forest Park first grader Joah Gathu.

Larry Buege is a Marquette author who has written an amazing series called “Native American Novels.” Each third- and fourth-grade student will receive an autographed copy of the first installment of the series, “Chogan and the Gray Wolf,” for their own home libraries. Buege plans to speak to the classes about his book later in the school year.

Deborah K. Frontiera is the author of “Living on Sisu: The 1913 Union Copper Strike Tragedy.” She is a snowbird and will return from Texas to her home in Calumet in March. After her return, she will come for a visit to the fifth- and sixth-grade classes to talk to them about her book, the “1913 Copper Strike,” and the “Christmas Eve Italian Hall” disaster. Each student will get an autographed copy of the book to keep for their home library as well.

“I would just like to comment that we are thrilled to have such a wonderful partnership with our Crystal Falls Library,” Forest Park Principal Jackie Giuliani said. “They have brought experiences to our students that have been enjoyed tremendously and we are very appreciative of the hard work the staff does to make sure we have these opportunities available to us.”

Gathu, along with the library board, are also very excited and motivated by the partnership.

“I am so glad that Forest Park has been so welcoming to our efforts to work with the students of Forest Park,” Gathu said.

Any other community educational and/or recreational groups and organizations that could use the library’s assistance can call 906-875-3344 or email to egathu@uproc.lib.mi.us, Gathu said.