Antique’s provincial library is conducting a monthly outreach program through storytelling and feeding of children in various parts of the province.

Newly appointed Provincial Librarian Emmylou Cruzat said on Friday that the monthly outreach activity continues the program started by retired librarian Grace Magullado in 2023.

“During the outreach program, our two librarians hold storytelling sessions as a way of encouraging the children to learn to love reading books,” she said in an interview.

She said mothers are also encouraged to do storytelling for their children.

A feeding program is also conducted as part of the project.

On May 12, the provincial library held an outreach program in Barangay Maybato Sur, San Jose de Buenavista, where they conducted storytelling among children living in the coastal barangay.

Barangay Maybato Sur was also the launch site of the first outreach program initiated by Magullado.

“There were 83 kids and 50 parents who joined in the program,” Cruzat said.

The children received storybooks and school supplies, such as crayons, scissors, and pencils, as well as food.

Cruzat said another outreach program will be conducted next week for children of Indigenous Peoples (IP) in Tobias Fornier town, in coordination with the Department of Education librarian.

“The outreach program in the IP community in Tobias Fornier will be held as our participation in the Brigada Eskwela,” she said.

Cruzat said they will also distribute notebooks, pencils, and other school supplies to the IP children.

“If there are those wanting to donate for the IP children, we really welcome it,” she said. (PNA)