The Philipsburg Jubilee Library in close collaboration with the Salvation Army relaunched their campaign “Read me a bedtime story” with an adventurous reading pajama party; which was held on July 6th to 7th, 2012.
A group of 30 children between the ages of 5 and 12 had an exciting pajama party and sleepover at the library. Minister of education culture and youth affairs Silveria Jacobs took time out of her busy schedule to participate in the pajama party by reading the children a story about African drums. She told the children she was very sorry that she could not stay for the entire party because as a child she had been an avid reader and one of her dreams was to have a sleepover at the library and read all night. Radio personality Elektra was also part of the event. She read the children an exciting story in which they had to make sounds , jump up and really get involved. Librarian Aukje de Jong entertained the children with puppet theatre. Also on the program was Tara Brown, manager of the Tutor room. The program ended with a sizzling bonfire. Papa Umpo surprised the children with a late night Anansi story while they were gathered around the bonfire enjoying their s ‘mores’. After that it was time to go to bed. Two groups of children spend the night in the library . Another group spent the night in tents set up in the garden of the library. The tents and the sleeping cots were generously provided by VKS. In the morning the children had breakfast and were picked up by their parents. That was the end of a night at the library the children will never forget. Aim of the pajama Party was to aid and encourage the children who are struggling with their reading and to show children and their parents how much fun you can have with bedtime stories. The Philipsburg Jubilee Library and the Salvation army would like to thank all companies, organizations and volunteers who supported the pajama party among which were the Red Cross, VKS, and Edith’s Unique Balloons ,Divico, Sunny Food’s, Buccaneers, Shop for Less, ACE Home Center, amd Cake House Bakery. Special thanks go out to Minister Silveria Jacobs, radio personality Elektra, Tara Brown, Papa Umpo and all other readers and storytellers.
