{"id":1943,"date":"2025-03-22T18:12:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T10:12:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/?p=1943"},"modified":"2025-04-19T13:16:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T05:16:47","slug":"2024-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/2024-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 year in review"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/cb27359f1017ea358d179de5f2746f2-1024x708.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2119\" style=\"width:338px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2024 has been a year of growth, learning, and making a difference at Our Town Library. We remain committed to providing a fully immersive English environment where children can develop their reading, writing, and communication skills. Thanks to our volunteers, parents, and staff, we\u2019ve created a space where kids not only learn but also build confidence and a love for communicating in English. This year, we\u2019ve made significant progress in promoting reading, organizing engaging activities, and expanding our charitable efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2029\u2029Growing Resources &amp; Our Team<\/strong>\u2029\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Book-Lending-8-Online-Reading.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-609\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5;object-fit:cover;width:422px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Book-Lending-8-Online-Reading.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Book-Lending-8-Online-Reading-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Book-Lending-8-Online-Reading-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past year, our library has grown richer in books! Thanks to the generous contributions of our volunteers and supporters, our collection has now expanded to 5,000 books, covering picture books, science, literature, history, and more. This ensures that children of all ages have access to a wide variety of reading materials.\u2029Our amazing team of volunteers has also grown from 4 to 31 dedicated members. These volunteers help children improve their English skills and also experience the joy and fulfillment of guiding young learners. Their passion and support are what make our library such a special place!\u2029\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Giving Back to the Community\u2029\u2029<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2115\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f1683b798d6fe9daf05c8cde8768458-1024x369.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2115\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" data-id=\"1861\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/297aba8772aca1a103b250845a3e19f-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/297aba8772aca1a103b250845a3e19f-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/297aba8772aca1a103b250845a3e19f-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/297aba8772aca1a103b250845a3e19f-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/297aba8772aca1a103b250845a3e19f-1536x1086.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/297aba8772aca1a103b250845a3e19f-2048x1448.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2217\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/\u5fae\u4fe1\u56fe\u7247_20250419131519-1024x708.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2217\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We believe in the power of books and education to transform lives. In 2024, we donated 1,873 books to the \u6ee1\u5929\u661f\u516c\u76ca, helping more children gain access to high-quality reading materials.\u2029Last year, we contributed 7,500 RMB (USD) to the Pearl Retrieval Program, and this year, we increased that amount to 52,500 RMB, supporting eight students in completing their high school education.\u2029To date, our total donations have reached 107,136 RMB, funding various educational programs and helping children in need pursue their dreams.\u2029\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Exciting Activities &amp; Programs\u2029<\/strong>\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"577\" height=\"582\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Our-Original-Charity-Model-2.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21\" style=\"width:368px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Our-Original-Charity-Model-2.webp 577w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Our-Original-Charity-Model-2-297x300.webp 297w, https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Our-Original-Charity-Model-2-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year, we introduced even more fun and engaging learning experiences for children:\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Storytime (Wednesday\u2013Friday evenings): Our interactive read-aloud sessions bring stories to life, sparking curiosity and imagination while enhancing listening and comprehension skills.\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weekend Learning &amp; Writing session: Children are placed into different groups based on their English levels, where they explore reading, writing, and self-expression in an all-English environment. Our weekend programs have expanded from X to 13 classes every weekend!\u2029\u2029<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e01892ce29c62688cbb71fc2e1f9ac6-1024x689.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2117\" style=\"width:544px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Online Learning Resources: \u2029\u2029We are working on bringing our learning programs beyond the library walls! In the coming year, we plan to launch new online resources and courses, making high-quality English learning accessible to children all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2029\u20292024 has been an incredible journey, filled with growth, laughter, and unforgettable moments. We are so grateful for every child, parent, volunteer, and supporter who has been part of this adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2024 has been a year of growth, learning, and making a difference at Our Town Library. We remain committed to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-library"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1943"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2046,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943\/revisions\/2046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourtownlibrary.com\/cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}