“When kids are busy with positive activities and role models, they tend to stay away from risk factors that may cause them to use drugs.”  

Matt Paluch, Moses Lake Community Coalition Chair 

MOSES LAKE — In a world where substance use among youth is a growing concern, the Moses Lake Library is a resource in promoting prevention through community engagement, mentorship and diverse programming, according to Moses Lake Community Coalition members.

“Well, one of the biggest parts of prevention is that kids have a safe place to be and something to do. The library is one of the best, the very best, partners in the community to provide not just a safe place to be and a variety of things for kids to do,” Moses Lake Community Coalition Chair Matt Paluch said. “It actually covers a much larger chunk of the population than many other places are even able to. That's why the library is so important in prevention. It really does encompass so many areas that are important to keep kids off of drugs.” 

The library offers a haven for children and teens, where they can access not only literature, both prevention-related and not. Children can also access meaningful activities that foster connection and personal development, according to Paluch.  

“The library helps keep kids busy,” Paluch said. “When kids are busy with positive activities and role models, they tend to stay away from risk factors that may cause them to use drugs.”  

Maira Sanchez, the teen librarian, leads the initiative to create a variety of programs tailored for different age groups, ensuring that there is something for everyone — from tweens to young adults. She said a lot of the teens who return often don’t have other clubs, sports or activities to keep them busy. She said she tries to focus her groups and activities on those students.  

Among the library's popular offerings are this month's Chubby Unicorn events, Anime Club, Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Club and craft sessions, designed to engage teens and encourage social interaction. 

"Programs like Anime Club and BYOB not only create a space for enjoyment but also foster friendships among participants," Sanchez said. "We've seen teens come together who may not have crossed paths otherwise. Building these connections is crucial in creating a sense of community.” 

Each month, Sanchez sees the number of engaged teens rise, often bringing friends along to participate in activities. 

"On a weekly basis, we have around 15 to 20 kids, and many are new faces showing up for the first time. It's wonderful to see them return with friends – this sense of belonging is the foundation of what we aim to achieve," she said.

Moses Lake Community Coalition Coordinator Megan Watson said the library's role in giving children a sense of belonging is crucial for preventive measures.  

“These kids that attend the groups get a lot of that sense of community feeling and that being able to share an interest that might be a little bit of a weird kind of misfit type of interest, to have a space to be able to build those relationships with other kids that are just like them,” she said. “It kind of just reinforces that whole ‘you belong somewhere. There are other kids that are like you. You're not strange or an outlier or anything.’” 

Sanchez said she recognizes that part of her role goes beyond simply managing programs; it includes being a trusted adult figure for teenagers.  

"I want the teens to view me as a friend rather than an authority figure," Sanchez said. "This approach fosters an environment where they feel comfortable discussing their struggles or seeking guidance when they need it." 

Watson reiterated the importance of children having good role models.  

“I think one thing that we don't recognize enough about the staff at the library is that they are dedicated to connection,” she said. “Connection is vital as far as prevention goes for these kids. These guys are not just checking books in and out – they're building relationships.” 

All three agree that the presence of caring adults is essential in preventing risky behavior among young people. Building these relationships creates a foundation through which young people can seek support when they encounter challenges, whether related to academics, social issues, or navigating life choices. 

The library also serves as a resource for those wanting to learn more about substance use and prevention. While the library's focus is on engagement and recreational programming, it recognizes the need for conversations around drug education.  

“The Narcan machine at the library opens up necessary conversations regarding drug awareness,” said Paluch. “When teens see that the library is equipped to address issues like opioid overdose, it normalizes discussions about the dangers of substance use in a non-threatening way.” 

Paluch said that the library is available to anyone who chooses to use it, which often brings in people who are unsheltered. However, he said he has never had an incident with those patrons, and he hopes that it does not deter people from using the resources.  

“I bring my kids here; I have never witnessed anything that I would consider concerning,” he said. “I don't want to belittle anybody's feelings about this. But also, I know the staff here, and if something does happen, they take care of it. They're not just letting it go.” 

Sanchez reflected on how the library has made a difference in the lives of the teens who regularly attend programs.  

"We've had teens come in, take part in activities, and leave feeling a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie," she said. "The library is not just a place for books; it's a community space where young people can gather, learn and grow together.” 

Events at the Moses Lake Library: 

June 18 

Rainbow Unicorn Slime 

Make yourself a rainbow unicorn slime. 

4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Children, Tweens, Teens  

June 20 

Fire Department Storytime 

Preschool story time and fire safety presentation by Moses Lake Fire Department.  

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Preschoolers  

Legos at the Library 

Play and build with Legos.  

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Children, Tweens 

Adult Book Club 

Open and available for young adults and seniors. Meets once a month to discuss books chosen by our members in an open forum style of conversation. 

5 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

Adults 

June 21 

General ESOL Class 

Free in-person class is for those who wish to start on or continue with their American English-language learning journey. 

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  

Adults 

Creative Writing Series 

This program will include weekly prompts, writing topics, and sharing work, and will evolve to fit the group's interests, including plot structure, character development, getting started, writer's block, editing, critiquing, and more. 

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Adults 

June 24 

Storytime with Dollie 

Storytime with special guest Dollie Boyd from the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. 

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

Preschoolers, Babies, Toddlers, Kids  

Chubby Unicorn Month 

Unicorn activities and crafts. 

4 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

Children, Tweens, Teens  

Teen Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Book Club 

Meet other teens who like to read and talk about books. 

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  

Teens 

June 25 

Community Health Event 

Event to provide access to local and supportive resources and partners. Community partners, vendors, and the public are all welcome. 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Adults 

Anime Club 

Talk about manga, watch anime, do anime crafts and design anime-themed materials.  

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  

Tweens, Teens 

June 26 

Adults with Special Needs Storytime 

This small group of adults with special needs meets for a weekly story time with songs and crafts. 

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  

Adults 

Switch Gaming at the Library 

The library will be hosting a gaming event on the Nintendo Switch with a variety of games and controllers that will be provided by the library. 

4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Children, Tweens, Teens 

K-Drama Club 

K-Drama Club, open and available for teens (13+) and adults, will meet once a month to read, watch, and discuss our favorite Korean dramas. 

4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

Tweens, Teens, Adults 

Early Learner Literacy Fair 

Parents, caregivers, and children ages birth-preschool are invited to attend this event to promote literacy development in young children. 

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Babies, Toddlers, Childre, Adults 

June 27 

Sensory Storytime 

A story time for children from three to seven years old with sensory needs. It will be a story time that is especially welcoming to neurodivergent children and their families. 

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

Preschoolers, Children

Neurospicy Book Club 

A book club for the neurodivergent and neuro-curious, where we'll discuss a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles that highlight neurodivergence and disability. All readers are welcome, whether you're an ADHDer, an autistic, or an ally. 

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Adults 

June 28 

General ESOL Class 

Free in-person class is for those who wish to start on or continue with their American English-language learning journey. 

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  

Adults 

Creative Writing Series 

This program will include weekly prompts, writing topics, and sharing work, and will evolve to fit the group's interests, including plot structure, character development, getting started, writer's block, editing, critiquing, and more. 

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Adults 

July 1 

Preschool Summer Storytime 

Preschool Storytime offers children the opportunity for language and literacy development as well as social-emotional growth. 

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

Preschoolers 

July 2 

Creative Writing Summer Series 

Big Bend Community College English Instructor, Patti Jones, and CALM, a Creative Arts Literary Magazine, introduce a summer series of creative writing workshops for ages 16 and above. 

4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Teens, Adults 

Paper Cup Party Poppers 

Make Paper Cup Party Poppers. All supplies will be provided, while they last. 

4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Preschoolers, Children, Tweens 

World Firefly Day 

Create your own firefly to take home. 

4 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

Children, Tweens, Teens 

July 3 

Adults with Special Needs Storytime 

This small group of adults with special needs meets for a weekly storytime with songs and crafts. 

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  

Adults 

Switch Gaming at the Library 

The library will be hosting a gaming event on the Nintendo Switch with a variety of games and controllers that will be provided by the library. 

4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Children, Tweens, Teens 

    Maira Sanchez, the teen librarian at the Moses Lake Library, says that she has around 15-20 teenagers visiting the library every week. She said she tries to be a friend and mentor to the children who visit the library.
  

    Moses Lake Library patrons use resources such as books, computers, faxing, printing and internet access Tuesday.
  

    A board of upcoming events for the Moses Lake Library. A key part of prevention, according to Moses Lake Community Coalition Chair Matt Paluch, is keeping children busy.