Bringing chess to Wolfforth Library

Kings & Queens: Wolfforth Library has made first move when it comes to chess
Posted by Karen Michael on September 11th, 2009

Kings and queens will now be regulars at the City of Wolfforth Library.

Two chess tables were donated to the library by iBookSwap in Lubbock.

“We’re pretty excited,” said Marie Evans, the founder of the Wolfforth Friends of the Library.

“Kids are not necessarily reading as much anymore, but they are playing computer games. A lot of kids are really not getting the development of their thinking skills that they should be getting,” said Evans.

The introduction of chess will help stimulate those cognitive skills, she said.

“It will also help them as they progress in other activities, classes in their school,” said Evans.

In playing a game, the students may not even realize the real benefit to their cognitive development, said Evans.

But the real draw for the library is pulling just a few more kids in.

“It’s just one more way we can pull these kids in, and if they’re in, they may also accidentally find a book to read,” said Evans.

Evans said eventually, the library hopes to offer chess classes for a “nominal fee.” She said having a fee ensures most people will show up for the class instead of deciding not to go at the last moment because it is free.

Instructors from the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence at Texas Tech will be available to teach the game, Evans said.

“We don’t have those set up yet, for a timed schedule, but we’re working on that. We’ve got a lot more to do on that, as far as it getting organized,” she said.

Judy Bryant, a counselor at Frenship Middle School, said she is excited to hear about the introduction of chess to the Wolfforth Library. Bryant helps run the chess club at FMS and offers chess to as many as 60 students during lunch a few days a week.

“There are so many good points about that,” she said.

Chess, she said, helps students to build self-esteem and get involved.

“Chess is a thinking game,” she said. “It just brings out the best in people, I think.

“I think it affects the brain in many different ways. You’ve got to learn strategy and problem solving,” she said, noting those are skills all students need to learn.

Parents also love for their kids to get involved in chess, she said.

In general, she said board games are also a good way for families to interact with each other.

“Board games are a very good way for families to turn off that TV,” she said.

The Wolfforth Friends of the Library will unveil the new children’s area shelving and chess tables at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the library. The Texas Tech chess group and Grandmaster Susan Polgar of SPICE will be in attendance to host demonstrations.

Source: http://www.frenshiptoday.com/

Wolfforth library moves forward with chess

Polgar: Wolfforth library moves forward with offering chess to community
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Story last updated at 8/23/2009 - 1:36 am

In this week's column, Rich Rice, Ph.D., associate professor in English at Texas Tech, interviews Andi Powers and Marie Evans. Powers is director and Marie Evans is coordinator of Friends of the Wolfforth Library.

...RR: Can you talk about Sept. 15?

Marie Evans: We were excited to hear Susan Polgar speak this summer and it reminded me again of the benefits of playing of chess to the educational learning of children in thinking skills, etc. Some kids just don't like or feel the need to read a book but love to play games on the computer. So why not introduce chess in the library and tie it into a wealth of other areas? The Frenship school district has now introduced chess in their system and it can be carried over to our library.

On Sept. 15, The Friends of Wolfforth Library is planning a dedication of the new shelving in the children's room along with two beautiful new chess tables that have been donated to the library. We plan on having a chess demonstration by local players and hopefully by that time, other great events planned for the school year.

Also Oct. 22-24 will be our next book sale and money earned will go into our upcoming projects.

One of biggest literacy projects that the library undertakes is the summer reading program. We have a great children's library area and at the close of the program the new section of shelving was installed in that area by the Friends. Last summer, the Friends dedicated a new section of shelving in the main library for the young adults.

With the growing population in the southwest corner of Lubbock and also the growing of the Frenship school district, we are faced with growing demands on our system. Therefore, we hope that individuals will feel the need to join and support the Wolfforth Friends of the Library when they obtain their library card and enjoy our library. All of the money that is raised by memberships and sponsorships to the Friends goes back into making the library better.

RR: Why is it important that people in Lubbock as well as people in Wolfforth know about the library?

AP: Especially since Godeke is temporarily closed, we want to remind all the users in southwest Lubbock County that we provide many of the same services they were receiving from Godeke, with a much smaller and friendlier environment. In addition to books, we have a reasonable selection of audio and video titles. We also provide free high-speed Internet access, faxing, copying, and are a Wi-Fi hot spot.

RR: Why is chess important to have available for people to play in a library?

AP: Our library strives to foster an atmosphere of learning. We hope to reach the users who may be reluctant to read. Providing our users with a new outlet for learning is very valuable opportunity.

Here is the full article.