Libraries promote letter writing program

The Ogden Farmers' Library and the Lyell branch of the Rochester Public Library put together a summer program that paired children up from both branches as pen pals. Letters and postcards were enchanged through the library's delivery system, which encouraged the kids to visit the library to drop off and pick up their mail.

The program concluded Wednesday, August 11 with a field trip to Springdale Farm. The kids toured the milking barn, met many animals, had pizza in the picnic pavilion, played on the playground and made friendship bracelets.

Children's librarians Kim Harris and Anne Strang said all the work involved was well worth it because even in the age of e-mail, there is still a place for a good old-fashioned letter. "The children were all so excited to receive mail, and to finally meet their pen pals face to face at the farm," they said. Library directors Patty Uttaro and Tom Blanda obtained funding for the bus, admission cost and refreshments.

As the children said their good-byes on the bus after the field trip, many of them vowed to keep writing to each other.