Washington library hosts insect zoo

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of excited kids showed up to see, hold and learn about a vast array of bugs at the Washington Public Library Tuesday afternoon, which hosted the ISU insect zoo for the summer reading program.

Library Director Cary Ann Siegfried said the day was a big day for the summer reading program, drawing 150-200 people.

“We get to pick and choose who we’d like to have come, and we knew that bugs would be a hit,” she said. “I think a lot of it is the hands-on experience. You have the kids petting the tarantula, and they can pick up the bugs and the centipedes and see them. It’s much different than what they’ll do a lot of times in school … this is hands-on stuff.”

Nora Newhouse, who attended the event, confirmed her appreciation for a chance to touch everything.

“The baby centipede was my favorite part,” she said. “It was so ticklish, I just loved it!”

That hands-on aspect isn’t just fun for the kids: ISU undergrad Jack Scordato, one of the touring display’s handful of staff, said it made the educational aspect more engaging.

“I really like interpretation … I love a sense of education, but that’s kind of less academic and more really fun, nature-based,” he said. “Insects are probably the best example because a lot of people are scared of them, and I really love getting people over that.”

The touring insect display program visits over 200 libraries and schools every year, according to the students from Iowa State University who run it. Anna Weldon, one of those students, said she too loved the chance to get kids out of their shells.

“When we come to a thing, there’s kids that are either crying or hiding behind their parents, but at the end they’re asking to hold everything,” said Weldon. “That’s my favorite thing, seeing them open up about something that they thought was scary, but then they realize it’s really not.”

Tiernen Edgar, another undergraduate running the program Tuesday afternoon, said it was a great chance to share his passion with kids.

“I’ve always been around animals, my dad raised snakes and stuff, so I’ve been around exotic pets and whatnot my entire life,” he said. “Talking about things I really like is pretty fun, especially when someone else is interested.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com