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Imagine replicating the excitement your child has when visiting a fire station and getting to tour the engine and explore all the amazing equipment, except a fireman is leading a vivid and thrilling journey through the imagination. That’s the intention of Buncombe County’s MENtor Program, the brainchild of Librarians Erin Parcels and Kate Spratt. The goal is to flip the script on who children see reading by having men from around the community lead story times. “The majority of teachers and librarians are women, so we wanted to shift that visual of literacy role models and show that men love to read too,” exclaims Erin. “It was important to us for children of all gender identities to see positive male role models and have a chance to connect with them through story times and activities. We also ask men in uniform to show up in uniform so children see that community helpers are approachable.”
During the most recent North Carolina Public Library Directors Association meeting the organization honored the MENtors Reading Program with the Outstanding Programming Award. The accolade came as a welcome surprise says Kate, “We read the email notifying us while we were on the circulation desk, we were jumping up and down and double high fiving, while trying to be quiet.” But Kate and Erin are anything but quiet about the very real need for more men to be modeling literacy. In fact, data shows having active male role models in the life of children can help breakdown stereotypical gender biases and lead to higher gender equity and empowerment. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than 3% of early childhood educators, including preschool teachers and librarians, are men leading to entire generations of children who grow up without a clear idea of what positive male educators are.
“This program has really built a lot of community outreach and we've been introduced to so many talented, passionate, and fun people. We receive a lot of nominations from patrons, many volunteers, and the feedback has been largely positive,” notes Erin. “Families really seem to have a blast while attending this program and that's our goal, to make it fun, educational, and unforgettable. All the perks of a library program in one!”
Buncombe County Library Director Jason Hyatt says the MENtors Reading Program model is sorely needed. “In order to see strong literacy practices take root among children, adults need to model those behaviors. This initiative invites men with different professions from the local community to share good reading habits to children,” explains Jason noting that men from all walks of life are getting in on the action. “MENtors has included park rangers, film directors, musicians, attorneys, university athletic directors, preschool teachers, Sheriff’s deputies, an Episcopalian priest, and more. Kate and Erin have done a wonderful job bringing this program to life,” exclaims Jason.
The MENtor’s Reading Program is truly helping rally the community in a unique way with a significant purpose that is resonating with everyone involved. As Kate summarizes the overall experience: “It feels great to see how mesmerized children and adults are with having a guest reader and the readers seem to really enjoy the experience as well. We're so glad we have the opportunity to get to know the volunteers, share what brings them joy with others, and now we get to celebrate them and this program with everyone!”
Congratulations to Kate and Erin for bringing this innovative idea to life, and a huge thanks to all the men volunteering their time and making male literacy visible and accessible in this unique setting. Want to learn more about taking your child to MENtors or volunteer to read a story? Learn more below.
Volunteer to read
Want to feel the fulfillment and excitement of mesmerizing kids? Please consider volunteering yourself or nominating someone you know for the MENtors Reading Program. If you are interested, email erin.parcels@buncombenc.gov or kate.spratt@buncombenc.gov.