By Tricia Dell
Contributing Writer
The children’s library associate at the Myrtle Grove branch of the New Hanover County Library won a free trip to a major library conference this spring after the video he produced drew enough votes from fans on social media.
After receiving 548 likes on Facebook for his video, Max Nunez will have his expenses paid for the 2016 Public Library Association Conference in Denver. Nunez used the process of stop animation to make the film, which features clay figures traveling to Denver for the conference.
The contest called for a creative and inspiring video entry that expressed his desire to serve his community and library. So with the help of his son, Nunez began a fun, family project using a program his son learned at stop animation camp at the Myrtle Grove library. The choice to use this format was one of marketing for Nunez.
“I wanted to do something that would make us stand out, and make us spectacular,” Nunez said. “Very few libraries have programs that are teaching 21st century skills, but we are one of them.”
At Myrtle Grove, Nunez has worked to provide a place to kindle growth and hone skills that interest today’s young people. The branch offers enticing activities like the rap club, the film club and stop animation training.
“It all started with library director Harry Tuchmayer, who originally got the funding to start the program, and Scooter Hayes, who wrote the grant to purchase the first stop-animation program. It has continued to grow from there,” Nunez said.
The programs offered are teaching great skills that children can take personal interest and control in by continuing on their own. Stop animation is a four-day, 45-minute camp where kids learn to use the equipment and programs to make animated videos. The film club makes short movies, while the rap club has rehearsals and recording sessions. Many of these programs offer apps that can be purchased for continual use and personal creation at home.
Currently a student at North Carolina Central University attaining his master’s to become a librarian, Nunez is heavily involved in the children’s programs. He said his desire to serve the community led him to the discovery of the contest for the PLA conference. Nunez said the PLA is a division that advocates for the public library system through online and continued learning for the public librarians and library associates.
Of the conference’s programs, Nunez said a pre-conference session titled “Keeping the Peace in the Library” strikes him the most, as it will focus on best practices for providing services to patrons experiencing homelessness. From these and other sessions, Nunez said he is looking to bring back to Wilmington the excitement that comes from encouraging community participation and education.
“The experience of going to the PLA and meeting all the other public librarians, children’s library associates and hearing their ideas and positive energy will be the biggest impact for me,” Nunez said.
