Empowering Young Readers: Prime Time Library Program Brings Oak Harbor Families Together

Crescent Harbor Elementary families recently participated in the Prime Time program, offered annually in partnership with Sno-Isle Libraries and Humanities WA. The Prime Time Library program is a free, six-week program that supports elementary-age readers and builds connections among families in our schools. Local schools are chosen for the partnership each year.

Initially designed to support literacy for English-speaking families, the program has evolved over several years to meet the needs of multilingual students and their families throughout the region, fostering critical thinking, inclusivity, and cultural celebration. Stories about fairness, bravery, and kindness are shared and discussed in English and Spanish. 

Children’s Librarian Anna Morrow is in her second year of coordinating the program for the Oak Harbor Library. She visits schools often throughout the year and enjoys seeing the excitement and growth of students. “Building that relationship with the kids is by far the best part,” she explains. “Seeing them talk with their parents more and get to know their parents better as people is rewarding.”

Kelly Moses, a Multilingual Specialist for Oak Harbor Public Schools agrees. She worked with the library this year to connect 24 families from Crescent Harbor Elementary with the program. “It’s a great way for families to spend time together as they build skills and discuss story elements,” she said. Each session includes storytelling, a family discussion, and an introduction to other library resources like homework support, digital materials, and other items like Discover Passes, laptops, and Wi-Fi hotspots. Participating families also receive books to keep and gift cards.

Oak Harbor Library Manager Jane Lopez-Santillana emphasizes the program’s positive impact on community connection. “Facilitators for this program are from the community,” she shares. For example, Magi Aguilar who does a lot of our Spanish translation in our program is from the Mayor’s office. So it’s also a way for families to get to know other people and build communities in new ways.”

Through Prime Time, Sno-Isle Libraries redefines library services and connects families to a lifelong adventure of reading and storytelling. Next year Broad View Elementary families will get to participate, but Morrow says everyone is welcome at the library any time. All Oak Harbor Public Schools students already have a registered library account and there are no age restrictions on library cards.

“We have so many more resources than most folks know about,” Morrow says, “And we really want to make sure that folks take full advantage of it.”