MENDOTA – Graves-Hume Public Library has revamped some of its spring programs for the youth.

One popular program is Career Explorers where different professionals from different fields are presenting their career to kids ages 8-12 about what they do, how they do it, and how they may be interested.

“We’ve tried to make it as broad as we can to highlight careers that are not necessarily highly focused on,” said Graves-Hume’s Youth Services Manager Carolynn Ohlendorf, who is introducing Career Explorers for the first time. “As a child, I was unaware there were so many different types of jobs. You see the traditional – policemen, teachers, doctors – people in our everyday surroundings, but you don’t see people in other fields.

“As a young child you don’t know what it takes to be a farmer, a podcaster, or a chef, or to own your own business like a tow truck driver. I think it’s good to expose them now and get them thinking about other career opportunities that take advantage of their strengths.”

On March 4, farmer Matt Schoenholz and Don Younglove, who specifies in aerial application (formerly known as crop dusting), presented to attendees of the program.

Speech language pathologist Amanda Simpson spoke on Monday, April 8.

Also scheduled for Career Explorers are towing and recovery business owner Matt Ramer (April 22), podcast host and journalist Brandon LaChance (May 6), and chef Cleetus Friedman (May 20).

“I think it’s important for them to understand things such as when you’re a farmer, you’re not just driving a tractor,” said Graves-Hume Director Emily Kofoid. “If you’re interested in insects, that’s a part of farming. With these careers, we can expand the intricacies of the careers with things the kids like. If kids like bugs or technology, those are big in farming and can be part of their career path. It’s not just sitting on a tractor.

“Each one of the careers in our program, Career Explorers, have their own set of aspects some might not think are involved.”

Ohlendorf said the expansion of the programs is important to allow for more interaction from the youth in both the community and the library. The goal is to channel each age group.

Kofoid agrees as Graves-Hume is creating a safe, fun place to hang out, study, meet new friends, or spend time with their best friend.

“We are very interested in the idea of a lifelong reader. How do we keep them coming back to the library,” Kofoid said. “We have a huge place for the little kids. You get a little older, there is the base, but how do we keep them involved with the library, the programs, and reading.”