2011-08-31 / Features
Print
Queens Librarian Fiddles On The Roof
When librarians of the Queens Library say they will do anything to get children in their libraries to read more, they really mean it. Daniel Meyer, a children’s librarian at the Kew Gardens Hills branch, is one of a group of librarians who challenge their summer readers with the promise of a stunt at the end of the season. This year, he promised the children that if they read, he would go up on the roof and play the fiddle. On August 29, he did just that. While the whole neighborhood was preparing for the onslaught of Hurricane Irene, Meyer dressed like the fiddler from Fiddler on the Roof in the musical and ascended to the library’s roof. After his fiddling debut, Meyer then threw bubble-wrapped gifts down to the eagerly waiting children. Queens Library’s Summer Reading Program is one of the best ways for kids to boost their academic success. Children who read over the summer retain more learning when school begins in the fall. Queens Library at Kew Gardens Hills had 1,100 readers registered with more than 85,000 who participated in the program borough-wide. Meyer has a history of photo-worthy challenges. Last year, he dressed as Cinderella, complete with wig. 
