‘Oceans of Possibilities’: Shepherdstown Public Library kicks off summer reading program

Human-Beaver Coexistence Fund Founder Alison Zak reads a story about beavers on the steps of McMurran Hall on Saturday morning. Ainsley Hall
SHEPHERDSTOWN — On Saturday morning, the Shepherdstown Public Library kicked off its summer reading program outside of McMurran Hall, by inviting Alison Zak, founder and executive director of the Human-Beaver Coexistence Fund to speak at the event.
The summer reading program is important for the Shepherdstown Public Library, because it helps motivate local children to read and participate in library events, throughout the summer.
“It’s got a two-point purpose,” said Youth Services Librarian Tish Wiggs. “The first, is to encourage reading. There are studies that show that kids have a reading slump in the summer, and you can lose a grade or so of reading ability if you don’t keep up with what you are doing in school. So, it helps us encourage kids to continue to read. And for us, it encourages participation in the library programs, because we tie them together. And it helps us figure out what kids are interested in and what type of items we should collect.”
The Shepherdstown Public Library has participated in the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) for at least 30 years. This year, the theme is “Oceans of Possibilities.” In line with that theme, Zak came to speak on a local aquatic animal, the beaver.
“What I’m really interested in, is how they interact with people and how people get along with wildlife and how they relate to nature,” Zak said. “My interests are really into the coexistence of people and wildlife. Here in our area, beavers are a bit of a hot topic in that field.”

Shepherdstown Public Library Youth Services Librarian Tish Wiggs introduces the special speaker for the library’s Summer Reading Program kickoff event, Alison Zak, in front of McMurran Hall on Saturday morning. Ainsley Hall
Though beavers don’t completely fit the ocean theme, Zak was asked to help children learn about the aquatic animals that live in the area.
“For us, a water environment is a river,” Wiggs said. “So that’s important for local kids. It’s important to localize it as well.”
The library will continue to hand out summer reading logs at its summer programs and at its current location until it closes on June 20. Any child who turns in their complete reading log by July 20 will be able to exchange it for a booklet of coupons from Shepherdstown businesses. The reading log can be submitted during any of the upcoming programs throughout the summer.
“It’s something we really enjoy doing, because it gives us access to learning more about our patrons and making sure we provide the best possible service that we can,” Wiggs said, regarding the program offered for local teenagers and children. “Because that’s what we’re here for, is to encourage reading. And we try to make a nice, peaceful environment that’s fun to play in and enjoy and make sure they grow up loving books.”
- Human-Beaver Coexistence Fund Founder Alison Zak reads a story about beavers on the steps of McMurran Hall on Saturday morning. Ainsley Hall
- Shepherdstown Public Library Youth Services Librarian Tish Wiggs introduces the special speaker for the library’s Summer Reading Program kickoff event, Alison Zak, in front of McMurran Hall on Saturday morning. Ainsley Hall