Mrs. Katz and Her Hats are a weekly hit

By Manuel C. "Manny" Correira
Posted 1/18/19

Hats off to Jackie Katz and what she’s been able to achieve during her weekly Children’s Storytime program at the Rogers Free Library .

Actually, it’s “hats-on” for …

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Mrs. Katz and Her Hats are a weekly hit

Posted

Hats off to Jackie Katz and what she’s been able to achieve during her weekly Children’s Storytime program at the Rogers Free Library.

Actually, it’s “hats-on” for this energetic former Southern California resident, who since coming to Rhode Island in 2009, has helped transform children’s reading into a fascinating pastime at the local library.

“I love children’s picture books and storytelling,” said Ms. Katz, who works at the Roger Williams University main library. “I love getting kids excited about books and reading.”

Married to Steve Katz, the love of her life, Jackie previously ran an elementary school library in Southern California for 15 years.

“He (Steve) comes to most of my Storytimes and laughs along with the kids,” Jackie notes.

During this particular session at the Rogers Free Library, Steve could be seen exchanging pleasantries with some good friends from town.

Throughout those 15 years in California, Jackie bought or was gifted more than 100 different hats, many of which are part of her “Mrs. Katz and Her Hats” presentation each week here in Bristol.

“Some of my favorite hats are my television hat, my hamburger hat, my dolphin hat, and my Dr. Seuss hats,” she explained. “I try to match my hat with the story I am reading.” Jackie began her Hats Children’s Storytime last year at Rogers Free Library.

As the story goes, in 2017, Jackie was having a conversation with a co-worker about wanting to revive her love for storytelling and love of children’s picture books.

“That conversation led to a conversation between this coworker and Joan Prescott at Rogers Free Library,” she recalls. “Joan reached out to me in November of 2017. I made an appointment with her and walked into her office wearing my pizza hat. We talked about what the Storytime would look like and how she could help me make it successful. I am forever grateful to Joan for giving me this opportunity.”

Conversely, Joan Prescott, the library’s very visible and dedicated executive director, thinks the world of Jackie and what she’s accomplished in a relatively short period of time.

“She has such a winning way with children,” said Ms. Prescott. “Her program here became successful right away. Jackie comes up with something wonderful every single week. She’s not paid a single dime. She’s been a gift to us. Jackie is a keeper. She’s a Christmas gift that keeps on giving.”

Jackie’s Storytime has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds. A quick glance at the children’s faces when Jackie was into the room is all the proof anyone needs.

“I love looking out at the kids when I’m reading and seeing them get excited about the characters and the stories,” she said. “Some of my favorite books include ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar,’ ‘Fox in Socks,’ ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance,’ and ‘The Day the Canyons Quit.’ Some of my favorite authors are Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Robert Munsch, and Laura Numeroff.”

Storytime is held every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Children’s Room at the Rogers Free Library. It lasts about 45 minutes, and normally, Jackie reads between 6 to 10 books, each with a coordinating hat.

“There are usually between 8 and 14 kids that attend,” she said. “We have had as many as 19 children attend. I have heard from many working parents that they are so grateful they have the opportunity to take their own kids to Storytime.”

As Jackie has indicated, Storytime is a drop-in event; no sign-ups are required. Families are welcome to come for the entire time, or part of the time. The children are typically between the ages of 2 and 8, but children of all ages are welcome.

“I have a ‘Special Storytime’ at least once a month,” she noted.

Always willing to make a good thing better, Jackie received some good news recently.

“I was encouraged to apply for a Friends of Rogers Free Library Grant,” she reported. “My hope was to use the money to purchase a vinyl banner, business cards, and monthly goodies for the kids. I found out in December that I was awarded my grant. I am very excited to use this money to help foster the kids’ love for books and reading.”

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