Friends of the Libraries' Guest Columnist Features 'I know how to read' By Carolyn Bailey Lewis August 7, 2004 The Athens Messenger

This article came about as a result of a conversation Lois Gerig, president of the Ohio University Library Friends, and I had during the planning of last spring's Readathon. We were talking about the importance of reading when I told her about my then 4-year-old granddaughter, Evann, and our time together last Christmas. But the story starts long before that.

I was raised by my great aunt, Thelma Stone, in Bluefield, W. Va. She was an avid reader and read many books and newspapers. It was normal to see her read the morning paper during breakfast, and the evening paper during dinner, and work the crossword puzzles in between, like so many people have done for years. Mama Thelma, as I called her, owned a hotel, a restaurant, and a grocery store. Because we were so close to the Norfolk & Western railroad yard, our hotel attracted many visitors, some who became permanent residents.

One such resident was Nelson Harmon, of Indian heritage, who helped in the restaurant. He was extremely knowledgeable about many subjects and proudly owned an original McGuffey Reader and, from that Reader, taught me how to read when I was 3 years old. It was easy for me, then, to participate in church pageants, plays, and the like, because I could read and memorize. It was in part, too, because of the brown Lane cedar chest. Mama Thelma had this cedar chest in her bedroom and when I was participating in a play or a pageant she would make me stand on it, say my part, and make sure I pronounced my words loudly and clearly. She was adamant about that.

It all goes back to reading, though. And I credit Nelson Harmon and Mama Thelma for instilling that love in me. It is nothing for me to have several books, magazines, and newspapers going at the same time, in addition to text books and articles that are must reads toward fulfilling requirements toward my Ph.D. in Communication Studies.

Now, to the rest of the story. When my granddaughter was 2½ years old, I got some books according to her age level and read them to her on videotape. I then sent her the books and the videotape so that she could read along with Nana. Preferably, it would have been nice to read to her in person, but she lives almost 17 hours away. She had been reading along with me for a little over a year when our family got together for the holidays. I became amused when she would answer a question or say something "profound" to us. I would ask, "Evann, how do you know that?" Her answer each time? "Why Nana, because I know how to read."

Talk about a proud grandma whose heart swelled with pride just knowing that I played a part in her early educational foundation. Of course my son and daughter-in-law read to her, but I am happy to have thought about something that not only helped her learn to read, but also kept us connected.

There was a campaign years ago called Reading is Fundamental. It is. Reading is the basis for everything we do. I encourage you to read more, read to your children and grandchildren, and take them to the library. With school soon to start for the year, a love for reading will take our children a long way.

Carolyn Bailey Lewis is director and general manager of WOUB Radio and TV, Ohio University.