Help Promote Good Reading Habits in Kalimantan

Drawing and coloring are still some of the kids' favorite things to do at the library! These activities give them such a fun outlet to express their ideas and let their imaginations run wild. We love encouraging our young visitors to get creative in whatever way feels natural to them, so we keep plenty of supplies on hand — drawing paper, printed coloring sheets, and all kinds of coloring materials like colored pencils, crayons, and markers.

The younger kids especially love coloring printed pictures. They get to pick out any picture they like, and our librarian, Ms. Rusti, prints it out for them on the spot. The older kids, on the other hand, usually prefer drawing their own creations based on whatever they're into at the moment. We've noticed a lot of the girls gravitate toward drawing flowers, landscapes, and anime characters, while many of the boys are all about vehicles — cars, trucks, motorcycles, race cars, you name it!

Interestingly, most kids reach for colored pencils and markers over crayons. They say it just gives them more control and makes their work look neater — a few even mentioned that crayons can get a little messy. Letting the kids choose exactly what they want to create really makes these sessions feel more fun and meaningful for them.

One story that stuck with us: AA, a seventh grader, came to the library to finish up a drawing assignment for school. She drew a beautiful landscape with mountains and a river. Since she didn't have many art supplies at home, she asked if she could borrow some of ours — and of course, we were happy to help her get it done!

We're so thankful for your continued support, which helps us keep the library a safe, creative space where kids like AA can learn, explore, and grow. Your generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of the children and families we work with every day.