Adults who recall the anxiety created by in-depth research projects during their junior high years might appreciate a program offered by the youth services departments at two northwest suburban libraries.
During the free program called “Project Success,” students and their parents learn the ins and outs of one of the most dreaded aspects of adolescence: the science project.
“During the program, I talk about the resources we have,” said Judy Salganik, library associate in the youth services department at the Rolling Meadows Library. “Most of the kids know about encyclopedias and books, but they aren’t aware of all the other resources the library has to offer; so this program gives them lots of helpful information about that.”
After Salganik discusses how to gain access to newspapers and periodicals through the library computer and stresses the importance of starting these projects early, the library’s graphic artist, Judy Bennett, takes over to offer some visual tips.
“I show them how to actually do their displays. I talk about what glue to use, what backing is best. And I give them a list of supplies, with costs and where they can be purchased,” Bennett said. “I think it’s very beneficial. They generally get a lot of use out of what we tell them.”
Bennett presented her portion of the program once this year at the Rolling Meadows Library and twice at the Palatine Public Library. (The next programs at both libraries are scheduled for the 1994-95 school year.) While at the library in Palatine, she was assisted by Judy Palmer, school services librarian, who discussed the researching and library resources.
About 80 students and parents attended each of the three presentations. At the end of each program, they were asked if they had any questions but, according to Palmer, most kept quiet until a little later.
“There are always a few questions, but I think most kids are kind of embarrassed,” Palmer said. “So we wait a little while and then say, `Okay, now you can come up and look at the displays and the resources.’ That’s when they ask questions. And it’s interesting to see that the parents usually have just as many questions as the children.”
