A few weeks ago State Superintendent Tony Evers awarded the Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin Schools, Libraries and Communities Award to the St. Croix Falls Elementary School Library and the St. Croix Falls Public Library.  How cool is that?!  Read on for inspiration:   

St. Croix Falls Elementary School Librarian Rita Platt and St. Croix Falls Public Library Youth Librarian Cole Zrostlik work together as One Community — Two Libraries to plan and promote shared family and literacy programs. Joint activities have included “Pajama After-Hours” nights where teachers and librarians read with children and families. A “Parent Academy” teaches good reading habits and helps participants sign up for public library cards at school. The public library supports the school by leveling books according to school methods and promoting school services on its website, and the school teaches students to use the MORE online catalog, promotes public library programming, and works with children to use public library resources. Both summer reading programs support reading goals of having over 100 children reading for over 1,000 minutes each. A parent of four school-age children noted the community benefit of One Community—Two Libraries. “Our St. Croix Falls children are reading better than ever, thanks in part, to the wonderful partnership between the school and public libraries.”

“The schools, libraries, and communities receiving rural awards represent the best of what Wisconsin has to offer,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “The award recipients support and strengthen community relationships that help keep rural Wisconsin not just surviving, but thriving into the future. Across Wisconsin, people look to their schools and libraries with pride,” Evers added. “More than half of the state’s school districts have 1,000 students or less and those districts face unique challenges but also offer unique opportunities. These awards recognize the partnerships that advance opportunities for students in rural districts.”