Ames Christian School

You may have seen a big blue dog roaming around the Ames Christian School campus. No need to worry, its only Smyles, the Ames Public Library mascot.  Smyles came to help tell the kindergarten and preschool classes all about Project Smyles, the library’s community outreach program.

When the Ames Public Library Bookmobile pulled up to ACS, the librarian, Miss Cathy, came in to tell the children all about the Library.  She began by showing them photographs of Smyles the dog in different parts of the Library.    Then she read, “Dog Tales: The Adventures of Smyles”, written by Kay Marner and published by the Ames Public Library.  The kids loved to listen to the story. As Miss Cathy finished reading the children were surprised to find that Smyles himself had come to visit them.  Each of them got to meet and take a picture with the big blue dog.  Kids also danced with Smyles and listened to another story about him. 

Smyles and Miss Cathy also gave the kids a tour of the Bookmobile.  They learned about the paintings on the outside of it, where the children’s books were located on the inside, and more.  Each child chose one book to check out for their classroom.  The class borrows the books for one month.  Smyles will come and visit again so that students can return the class’s borrowed books and check out some new ones.

Each child was given a free book and a folder containing their picture with Smyles and more information about the Ames Public Library.   When it was time for Smyles and Miss Cathy to leave, the children said their goodbyes and gave lots of hugs.  They are very excited to see the Bookmobile and Smyles, the big blue dog, at their school again this month.   Thanks to the Ames Public Library for such a wonderful outreach program.  The children were blessed with lots of fun and knowledge about reading.