Reading is Such a Bright Idea!

The shuffling of pages has always filled the quiet space of the Ferguson Library South End Branch in Stamford. And now, thanks to the widely popular family literacy program, "Enlightening the Mind," the enthusiastic hum of book discussions and parent-child bonding are welcome additions to the library's cheerful atmosphere.

And the buzz continues to grow.

Local librarians, such as Josephine Anderson, compose a list of books the students can choose to read. Often, students offer suggestions of their own. The students then read the chosen book together with their parents and peers at "Enlightening the Mind" gatherings and discuss what they've read.

"Enlightening the Mind" was established in 2002 when the Connecticut Light & Power Company awarded a grant to the Hartford Public Library to develop a book discussion program for mothers and daughters in the community. By 2003, the program was so well received it was expanded further to include fathers and sons who wished to participate, too.

News of the program continued to spread to surrounding neighborhoods. The Albany Branch Library began holding monthly sessions to accommodate neighboring parents and students. Within months, the program grew from just 10 to 30 participants.

In 2004 and 2005, Waterbury's North End Middle School and Stamford's Ferguson Library South End Branch opened local program chapters and continue to maintain their popularity within the community today. CL&P public affairs specialists, Margo Jackson and Pam Hall work with the community organizations to help coordinate the program, provide guidance and assist in recruiting participants. The CL&P grant now covers the cost of program facilitators, books and refreshments for each session.

Over 35 parents and children attended the 2008 "Enlightening the Mind" kick-off, many of these families returning from previous years. This year, the program will include two sessions - one for grades 3 to 6 and another for grades 7 to 12.

Recently, CL&P sponsored a field trip for 27 Stamford participants to Maryland, to hear neurologist Ben Carson speak on behalf of "Think Big," a program Carson created to encourage students to work to their full potential. More than 700 people were in attendance and Stamford students returned invigorated by the trip; they wrote enthusiastic paragraphs about what they had learned which sparked lively conversations at their next program session.