Summer Reading Program Week 3 Highlights
The third week of the Pohnpei Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program was truly one for the books! On Tuesday, July 8th, our Cluster 3 group—consisting of 16 bright and curious 6th to 8th graders—embarked on their final field trip adventure to Palikir, visiting two of our sister libraries: the Library of Congress FSM and the College of Micronesia-FSM Learning Resource Center (LRC) along with its Media and Instructional Technology Center (MITC) and Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE).
Our first stop brought us to the doors of the FSM Congress Library, where we were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Mary Gilmete. With her engaging storytelling, Mrs. Gilmete shared the rich history of the library and the many important figures who have walked through its doors—congressmen and women, diplomats, and even presidents. The students had a wonderful time participating in a trivia session where they learned fascinating facts, such as the number of representatives each state has in Congress. Their enthusiasm was met with delicious sandwiches and fizzy drinks, generously provided by our gracious hosts—fueling both minds and tummies!
From there, we made our way to the College of Micronesia-FSM Learning Resource Center—a special sneak peek for our students into what could one day be their future school. Mrs. Karleen Manuel, Head Librarian, was pleasantly surprised by our energetic turnout and led the group on an unforgettable tour. The students wandered through “secret doors,” snaking their way into the MITC, where they saw the conference area and a media room filled with relics of the past—CDs, cassettes, and television sets they’d only ever seen in movies or TV shows.
The excitement didn’t stop there! We then made our way into the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) where Mr. Tim Mangonon, the head of CFE, gave a brief but inspiring talk about how the center supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs. The students got a glimpse of how ideas can turn into businesses and how these spaces foster innovation.
Our tour continued as we explored the library’s extensive collections, including children’s books, magazines, newspapers, and the well-equipped computer lab. The students also learned how the cataloging system works and then took a special trip upstairs to see the Archives and Micronesian Collections, where the rich history and heritage of the islands are carefully preserved.
After this full and enriching day, we made our way back to the Pohnpei Public Library for a brief reflection and summation meeting where the kids shared their favorite moments and lessons from the trip. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with learning, laughter, and inspiration.
Heartfelt Thanks
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the Library of Congress FSM, Mrs. Mary Gilmete, the College of Micronesia-FSM Learning Resource Center, Mrs. Karleen Manuel, Mr. Tim Mangonon, and the rest of the COM-FSM Staff and their incredible staff for their time, knowledge, and generous hospitality. Thank you for opening your doors and inspiring the next generation of readers, learners, and leaders.
A special thank you as well to our Department of Education Pohnpei State, for providing transportation and to our wonderful bus driver from Ohmine Elementary School, whose safe and cheerful driving helped make this trip possible.
The Pohnpei Public Library Summer Reading Program 2025 continues to be a journey of discovery, growth, and community—one page at a time.
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