Hampton School District #29 in Hampton, Illinois was awarded an LSTA LINCC grant entitled “Art in Action” totaling $6,500.00. This grant allowed the library for this K-8 school of 240 students to provide for interests beyond the classroom curricula for the students, offering books on “fun” topics and widening the use of the library to include family groups.  283 books on hobbies, crafts, sports, cooking, etc. have been added to the library’s collections.

The school library partnered with the GFWC Hampton Rapids Jr. Woman’s Club whose club members are committed to helping their community, with an emphasis on helping women and families.  The members planned, organized, and coordinated a series of 5 Thursday night programs to showcase and promoted the new library books.  Family groups were invited to participate in a fun activity where parents could bring their children and have the “fun” planned and supplied for them. 

Programs included such activities as a magic demonstration, making greeting cards, creating “stained glass” windows, building and decorating a birdhouse, and creating paper ornaments from pulp.  370 people, and 34 different families, attended these programs, with 10 club members helping on various nights.  During the 4 week period, 136 of the new books were borrowed from the library.