WEST PITTSTON — More than a dozen young library-goers enjoyed great weather and some old-fashioned outdoor fun at a field day held by the West Pittston Library on Saturday afternoon.
The group of elementary and middle school-aged children played dodgeball and other yard games organized by the library to bring back the camaraderie and fun of playing outside.
Summer Belles, youth coordinator for the library, organized the event.
“This year, I was thinking fall is a good time to have an outdoor event where the kids won’t get too hot running around,” she said.
Saturday’s event was focused on providing children a way to enjoy activities they don’t seem to do anymore, Belles said.
“I thought about when I was a kid and how everyone in the neighborhood would gather together to play hockey in the street, hide and seek in the dark or softball in a field,” she said. “I don’t know how many kids get the chance to do that these days.”
Heather Bocker, of West Pittston, brought her two sons — 13-year-old Alex and 9-year-old Bryce.
“Activities like this bring the community together,” Heather said. “The library is not just a place with books.”
Zack Gramps, of West Wyoming, brought his two sons — 9-year-old Zack and 5-year-old Liam, 5. He found out about the the event from a flyer sent to his home.
“It’s a great way to get them out of the house,” Zack said. “We’ve been to a few of these events at the library, and they were all very good.”
Belles said the library strives to bring the community together.
“We want them to have a positive experience here and walk away knowing something that they didn’t know before,” she said. “I love that our events bring people together that might not have met any other way. Now they have their friends from their neighborhood, friends from school and friends they know from library programs.”
The field day also offered a chance for new people to visit and see what the library is all about.
“We’re a fun library, and we think once people experience us, they’re more willing to return,” Belles said. “By focusing on health-related programs, the West Pittston Library is helping to shape active citizens who are able to manage their well being.”
