Finding things to keep kids entertained during the summer months, things that don’t involve electronic devices that is, can be a challenge. Maddie Dockweiler understands that and decided to do something about it.

Maddie just completed her first year of teaching at Callaway Public School and has lived in Callaway for a little less than a year. A native of Falls City, it was love that brought her to Custer County - a decision she says she certainly does not regret.

She is married to Kalen Dockweiler and is the speech/language pathologist at the school. This summer, however, she is devoting her time to the children of Callaway in a different role.

“I proposed an idea to the library board to do a summer reading program, because I had heard that one wasn’t going to happen this year, and that made me really sad,” Maddie explained. “So I pitched the idea to do it for the whole summer instead of just a week. So every Monday and Wednesday, I run the summer reading program.”

The library is currently without a director and is operating thanks to the generosity of community members chipping in. Not only does Maddie lead the reading program two days a week, she also runs the library on those days, working from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The reading program runs from 10-11 a.m. She had to be trained on the computer system so she could check books in and out on those days.

“I just had this inkling to do it and wanted to help get kids into the library over the summer and have something to do,” she said.

Each day of the summer reading program involves a story, which is usually read to the kids by someone from the community. For example, one of the firefighters came in and read a book about firefighters, which was followed by a craft and a game.

Each week has a different theme. The week the firefighter came was community week, and featured a doctor on the second day.

“It’s a way for parents to keep kids active without having to plan something,” she said with a smile.

The week this interview was conducted was camping week. On the first day, the kids went on a mock “bear hunt” and made bear masks. The second day, they each made their own camping book, then had a fun flashlight reading time in tents set up around the library.

Children do not need to register for the program; just show up. “Our first day we had about 10 kids, and the next day we had 25 then 30. So it’s been growing!,” she said with a giggle.

Through her connection with the school, Maddie was able to get the summer school teachers to bring their kiddos to the library two days a week for the reading program. “And they have an hour they don’t have to plan,” she said enthusiastically. The summer reading program is free for all children.

Maddie graduated with her speech/language pathology degree in August of 2024, got married the same month, and then moved to Callaway right after the wedding. “I graduated from grad school a week before my wedding, got married here in Callaway, and the rest is history,” she laughed. “Now I want to get to know the community more. The first year was hectic getting to know the school and the kids, now I want to get out into the community. I usually know the kids before the parents.”

Maddie says her own childhood experiences prompted her to pursue the program in Callaway. “My mom always took me to a summer reading program when I was little, and I remember it to this day. Now being in the field I’m in I know about how important reading development and literacy is and the impact it can have in a child’s life. So I decided to take this on.

“I have enjoyed it and it’s been great to have the library be used,” Maddie continued. “I know that’s been a struggle to get people in, and I have talked to the library board a lot about that.”

Shirley Trout is a member of the library board and said the board plans to hire a permanent librarian who will hopefully start in July. “We want to create the library to be a center for literacy. That is our key word. And we want it to be a vibrant center for the community, for meetings, card clubs, or sewing groups, that kind of thing,” said Shirley.

She explained that literacy in terms of what the library board has in mind involves many areas, not just reading. It might include learning manners, or technology. “Literacy really is all encompassing,” Shirley explained. “If anybody has anything they want to contribute as far as a little program, it doesn’t have to just be summertime; we are so eager to find out what kind of interest there is in the community.”

For more information or to share any ideas you may have for programming at the Nigel Sprouse Memorial Library contact Shirley Trout at 402-310-9070 or