EPIC BOOK DONATIONS!

BOOK LOVERS BEHOLD!

A total of 50 books were donated to the Pohnpei Public Library and we are absolutely grateful to Catherine Good shipping two wonderfully hefty boxes of books from Florida. Catherine is a regular donor of some of the latest and most checked out books globally--such as Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and Sooley by John Grisham among many others. The Board of the Pohnpei Public Library is very thankful to Ms. Catherine Good for her kind donation to the PPL. Swing on by and have a look at these new books to find your sweet escape for the summer. Have a gander folks!

 

Sapwalap ECE Students Field Trip group visits the Library Playground!

Come Again!

Sapwalap ECE Students Finishing their Field Trip on a super High Note at the Pohnpei Public Library Playground.

(04/26/24 - taken by Welter Johnny)

As most folks know, one of the most attractive features of the library is the PPL playground. Kids from near and far are always frequenting the "kiris", and today we have the fortunate opportunity to be on the list of places to visit for the Sapwalap ECE students. Our little visitors arrived brimming with excitement on the verge of dashing towards the playground followed by concerned parents and staff in pursuit guiding them neatly and carrying their refreshments. They were received and welcomed warmly onto the grounds by all the staff of the Pohnpei Public Library. The Board is always happy to hear that we have young visitors of the facility and would like to thank the Sapwalap ECE Supervisors and Families as well as our little tourists of the day for coming. We also sent them off with special waterbottles to give thanks to their efforts to visit us reguarly!

Panel Discussion with Special Guests and High Schools Throughout Pohnpei

Library Week comes to a close on the 25th of April 2024. Celebrating 36 years of service to the island of Pohnpei, the Pohnpei Public Library ended Library Week with a semi-formal open dialogue panel discussion with the top two students from the high schools and some of our finest local heroes.

The event began with the attendees sporting t-shirts specially made for the event signifying uniformity to honour the theme of connecting. The Session commenced with a moment of acknowledgement of all our special guests along with the top senior students hailing from all corners of Pohnpei:

  1. Pohnpei Island Central High School

• Miuky Jean Joseph
• Lilly-Jean Alex

  2. Seventh-Day Adventist High School

•    Faithjewel Wynn
•    Aziza Christian

  3. Nanpei Memorial High School

•   Asumi Ardos
•  Melti-Ann Lorenso

  4. Madolenihmw High School

• Melsihna Saul
• Janet Etger

  5. Pohnpei Catholic High School

• Unica Rodriguez
• Kimora Nena

  6. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School

• Kimilane Jean Sigrah
• Karen Andon Semens

As the day’s MC, Mrs. Emy Charlie (Assistant Librarian) guided the formalities, among the honoured guests, we also welcomed former PPL Board Members as well as present Board Members Mrs. Suzanne L. Gallen (Chairwoman), Mr. BJ Obispo (Board Member), and Mr. Vantslot Etse (Board Member). The event then led into a wonderfully done prayer and a warm welcome. The panel members were then given the floor to introduce themselves. The Panellists' included:

• Ms. Phyllis Silbanuz – Dean of FSM National CTEC
• Mr.Noriekka Lekka – Chief of Social Services Pohnpei State
• Mr.Nixon Alten – Staff Attorney FSM Public Defender’s Office

The main attraction of the day commenced with Ms. Erika Billen as the moderator for the open dialogue panel discussion. As the saying goes, “You just had to be there to know”, the students asked their questions while each panellist took turns answering; and the more the panellists spoke, the more intently the students listened. The ambience of the entire room was relaxed and bordering casual as the panellist engaged their audience. The exchanges mostly encompassed the panellists' experiences that the students one-on-one wanted to know about and it ranged from personal challenges, motivations, fears and even pesky procrastination. The genuine aura that each panel member exuded was a touching factor, and the students had so much well worded stories of wisdom they could come away with from this event other than the gift certificates to Ace Office Supplies and free t-shirts. One might call it a very sweet way to end the Library Week—connecting inspirational individuals to our students, providing them the opportunity and space to learn from each other, and stoking the drive of our students and honoured guests to remain focused on their goals. It was an invigorating experience all together.

After the Panel Discussions the students, as well as panellists and schools received certificates of appreciation for their participation and support in this year’s Library Week movement to CONNECT, LEARN and FOCUS. Our Honourable Chairwoman of the Pohnpei Pubic Library Mrs. Suzanne L. Gallen gave her closing remarks—summing up the afternoon and thanking our guests. Following this segment was a group photo to immortalize the occasion before sending off everyone with some refreshments for the road.

The Board of PPL and Staff would like to thank the FSM Congress (Speaker’s Office) as well as the FSM National Archives, Cultural and Historic Preservation (NACHP) for sponsoring the event and making everything possible through grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. We would also like to thank all the vendors (Ace Office Supply, Ray & Dor's, MicroPrinter) for their speedy work and cooperation to bring our gifts to our students and attendees. Thank you ALL again for the support and trust you have all shown throughout this event and its preparations.

Kalahngan en kupwuromwail maingko!

Panel Discussion Open Dialogue Head Librarian Trueleen Albert giving her formalities to all and setting the warm mood.

(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

Panelists kicking off their introduction. (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley)

Students from the highschools around Pohnpei. (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley)

Students from NMHS. (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley)

Students from PCS.(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley)

Seventh-Day Adventist High School (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley)

Madolenihmw High School students(close to center of picture) (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Welter Johnny)

NORIEKKA LEKKA - CHIEF OF SOCIAL SERVICES POHNPEI STATE
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

PHYLLIS SILBANUZ - DEAN OF FSM CTEC
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

NIXON ALTEN STAFF ATTORNEY - FSM PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

AWAK ECE REPRESENTATIVE
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST HIGH SCHOOL

with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert

(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

POHNPEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

MADOLENIHMW HIGH SCHOOL
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

NANPEI MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

POHNPEI ISLAND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert
(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)

Library Week Day 3 with Awak ECE School Visitors

AWAK ECE TO CLOSE THE TOURING PHASE OF LIBRARY WEEK!

We have our farthest visitor's on the roster Awak ECE students! We were absolutely delighted to see our little visitors arriving and marveling at the facility whilst reciting, "The library is for reading silently!" Our adorable tourists were welcomed at the gates and led in by Ms. Erika Billen (Library Technician), Welter Johnny (Library Aide) and Mihla Henry (Custodian). Ms. Billen along with the staff and families of the little visitors brought the kids in and had a casual introduction in the kids' section with Trueleen Albert (Head Librarian) and Emy Charlie (Assistant Librarian) leading the pleasantries. 

Ms. Billen reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the little listeners of Awak ECE. (April 24th 2024)

Awak ECE's Enjoying the tales. (April 24th 2024)

Today's reading was very exciting! The kids enjoyed the a lovely story about The Very Hungry Caterpillar after a nice stretching rhyme since the car ride must have been very long in the morning. The energetic little beans enjoyed the stretch and were up for the story time. The kiddos were adding their own accounts of butterflies and counting fruits until the story's end.

Ms. Billen playing the whisper game where the students whisper around the name of an item from the story and the last child has to pick the word 

from the pile. (April 24th 2024)

After the story reading the little explorers marched over to the clear area where Ms. Billen commenced the Whisper game. During the story, certain items were high lighted for the kids to remember since it would be used within the game. It started with everyone in a cicrle where the high lighted words were whispered along for the last student to then look through the darwings on the the floor to identy the item that was whispered to them. This game helps the kids see the importance of connectivity through communication and attention. The excited munchkins were having a blast with the game until the entire pile finished. 

Little artists from Awak ECE coloring the very hungry caterpillar. (April 24th 2024) 

They were then running over to the table to commence the third and final activity of the day which was colouring in a picture of the very hungry caterpillar. The kids were invited to use their imagination and engage their creatvity colouring in the lines with a fun activity that requires focus.

Awak Elementary ECE Students excited for their new gifts, experiences and friends from the Pohnpei Public Library. (April 24th 2024)

As the visit came to an end, the beaming children got their gift bags and were ready to use their coloring books and bubbles. They made their way onto their bus and were waved off by the PPL Staff. The PPL Board Members would like to thank the Principal, staff and families that took the time to come by and join us. Kalahngan en kupwuromwail!

Library Week Day 2 with Sokehs Power ECE Elementary School!

Another Day of Library Exploration!

Our little adventurers today arrived from Sokehs Powe brimming with curiosity and excitement. Today’s activities were led by Mrs. Emyleen Charley, Library Assistant of the Pohnpei Public Library, leading them in with warm smiles. 

Mrs. Emy Reading to the little listeners. 

(April 23rd 2024 - Pohnpei Public Library Kids' Section)

Sokehs Powe ECE students, Staff and

Parents enjoying a game of connectivity.

(April 23rd 2024 - Pohnpei Public Library Kids' Section)

Sokehs Power Library Week Day 2 Visitors

(April 23rd 2024 - Pohnpei Public Library Kids' Section)

As the kids made their little way to the kids' section and sat down, Mrs. Emy read the story aloud to the children, a story that taught the importance of true courage. The small explorers were caught in a trance enjoying the suspenseful kids’ tale before they were soon singing PPL’s Head Librarian Trueleen Albert’s nursery rhymes and hymns! Everyone present took part in an activity of connecting with each other through holding hands and being present. All these activities were done of course with the intention of Connecting little kids to the library to encourage fun Learning and Focus –high lighting the focus of the entire library week. The PPL Library Board members and staff were all ecstatically pleased with the wonderful turn out of our little friends and would like to thank the Sokehs Powe ECE Supervisor, Staff and Families that had joined the kids on this magical experience! Ending on a super high note, more goodie bags were given to the students leaving them with big smiles and jittery moods. 

Sekere and RSP ECE Students Flood the PPL Kids Section for Library Week!

 Library Week Takes Off Strong! 

We are very excited to share the turn-out of the first day of Library Week for the year 2024! About twenty three beautiful and handsome little visitors from Sekere Elementary School (SES) and Rohie, Soledi, and Peidie Elementary School (RSP) joined us at the Pohnpei Public Library to "CONNECT, LEARN & FOCUS"! This years globally celebrated Library Week Theme encourages students to connect with others, learn new skills and of course to focus on what matters on our little journey.

ECE level kids from Sekere Elementary School SES (Sekere Elementary School) 

& RSP (Rohie, Soledi, Peidie) with their goodie bags. 

(4/22/24)

The day began with a lovely introduction of all the PPL staff to our small friends. Our lovely visitors and their guardians got to experience the wonders of the library and hear a fun story read to them by our Head Librarian Trueleen Albert focusing on the theme of connectivity, learning and of course, focus, focus, focus! Following this activity, our little library tourists got to color and draw pictures relating to the story and dancing away the hour with a game of Simon inda (Simon Says) and singing jolly nursery rhymes tailored to the theme.

Exercising their fine motor skills and coloring together.

(4/22/24)

After a fun filled morning, the kids then received little goodie bags made possible by our dear friends from the FSM National Archives, Culture and Historic Preservation with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Goodie bags: Disposable shopping bags, crayons, coloring books pencils, pencil
case, waterbottle, bubbles, pencil sharpener, composition books, and reward stickers 
(this set it for girls, we also have a set for boys with green waterbottles and other 
colors for the bubbles).
(4/22/24)

PPL Staff Passing out the end of day refreshments the kids upon their exit.

(4/22/24)

The Board is always very appreciative of the willingness of the schools to allow their little ones to come all the way from Sokehs to experience our little library corner! We are hoping that this experience plants a seed about the inner workings of the Pohnpei Public Library and that we may see more of our little friends utilizing our services in their educational journey. Looking forward to day 2 to connect, learn and focus. STAY TUNED!

Reading Hour Theme: Connectivity!

With Extra Guests comes Extra FUN!

Today’s Reading Hour brought us many reading guests that the children enjoyed meeting! We were glad to have welcomed back our previous guests from the US Military Captain Ceasar Garcia and Specialist Alejandro Lopez, who brought with them more excited readers that became part of our little reading family of the day: Staff Sargeant Benjamin Cofer, Captain Shane Mabry, Major Sofia Lusignan. Our special guests brought with them an assortment of children’s books which were donated to the library!

Major Sofia Lusignan passing over the books donated by the US Military.
(April 11th 2024-4pm) 

US Military Soldiers showing the kids the lovely selection of books for them to explore. 
(April 11th 2024-4pm)

Specialist Alejandro Lopez Reading The Little Mermaid to the excited little listeners. (April 11th 2024-4pm)  

In addition to this lovely turn out, we also had the honor of having Mr. Larry Christensen and Mrs. Tawana Christensen from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteering for this reading session.

Mrs.Tawana Christensen reading to the eager little listeners of the day.
(April 11th 2024-4pm)

The fun-filled and educational afternoon flew by too soon with the kids ecstatically interacting with the readers and enjoying the stories, filling the room with animal sounds and giggles.

The PPL Reading Hour Participants and our gracious donors and readers of the day, all smiles! (April 11th 2024-4pm)

The Pohnpei Public Library was very honored to receive book donations from the US Military along with volunteer readers for the day. The Board of PPL would like to extend their sincere gratitude to our donors from the US Military for your thoughtful gesture. The Board would also like to express their appreciation to our enthusiastic readers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Pohnpei Island Fishing Club Donates Emergency Equipment

Safe in the Seas! 

On April 9th 2024, the Pohnpei Public Library recieved the honor of a visit by the Executive members of the Pohnpei Island Fishing Club (PIFC) Dr. Johnny Edson (President), James Wichman (Vice President), Sean Ryan (Secretary), and Aaron Highswander (Treasurer). They made a generous donation of 5 EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) that can be rented by registered boat owners with all proceeds going to the Pohnpei Public Library.

Back from left: James Wichman (VP), Dr.Edson (Sec.)

Front from Left: Erika Billen (Library Technician), Mihla Henry (Custodian), Emyleen Charley Library Assistant,

Trueleen Albert (Head Librarian), Sean Ryan (Secretary), Welter Johnny (PPL Library Aide) 

(April 9th, 2024)

The Staff of PPL received training on the usage of the donated equipment as well as the lending processes and documentation. We are extremely grateful for these EPIRBS which will be invaluable during emergency situations beyond the reef. We invite everyone to utilize this safety measure opportunity that has been made available through the public throuh the generosity of the Pohnpei Island Fishing Club. The Board of the Pohnpei Public Library wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to our kind donors. 

Reading Hour Theme: April Fool's Day & National School Librarian Day

Learning with New Friends

Reading hour commenced with two special guests from the US Military Mr. Ceasar Garcia and Mr. Alejandro Lopez who read four wonderful and lively stories to the kids: Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown, When I Grow Up published by The Clever Factory, It's April Fool's Day by Steven Kroll, and Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale by Daniel Kirk.

Mr. Cesar Garcia Reading to our young listener a wonderfully engaging book. 

April 4th, 2024

Story Hour Kids enjoying a short show about Caillou the Librarian (on Youtube) 

(April 4th, 2024)

We are extremely thankful for the kind visit and enthusiasm of our volunteer readers that made the story hour an extra special experience for the children. The Board Members and staff of the PPL were very grateful for their time spent with us and appreciate all the generous services and thoughtful gestures of the US Military.