MEETINGS AND EVENTS

FUN AND REWARDS FOR CHILDREN DURING PIERCE COUNTY LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING

By: Kit Thompson June 18, 2008

TACOMA – When the final bell rings to end the school year, thousands of children will get a jump start on the next school year, by heading to Pierce County Library System’s summer reading program.

Summer Reading runs Saturday, June 21, through Saturday, Aug. 16, at all 17 Pierce County Library branches and three bookmobiles. Starting June 21, kids may get free booklets and information at any library or bookmobile and log the number of minutes they read on the Library’s Web site @ www.piercecountylibrary.org .

“Through dozens of fun, free events, summer reading heaps loads of fun into reading,” said Neel Parikh, executive director of Pierce County Library. “Underlying all the fun is the tremendous benefit summer reading gives. We know that with continued reading throughout the summer months, kids who join summer reading have far more success when they return to school in the fall.”

A Johns Hopkins University study showed that students may lose up to two months of reading skills in the summer, and the loss is higher for children who are already struggling.

During “Catch the Reading Bug” summer reading program, kids, ages 3-12, may enjoy a variety of bug-related programs and events in the libraries, including learning buggy biology—an unbelieva-bug science experience, taking an insect safari and inspecting hundreds of bug specimens and live bugs, and more.

When kids read 20 minutes for a total of 10 hours during six of the summer reading weeks, they will earn a prize, which includes a free pass to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium or Northwest Trek, while supplies last.

During “Metamorphosis” summer reading program, teens can transform their summer days by creating origami and duct tape crafts, competing in gaming, drawing manga and more activities.

For every 10 hours a teenager reads, they may enter a drawing to win an iPod. Friends of the Libraries will also donate money toward animal care at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Also, teens who read 10 hours earn a free one-week pass to Tacoma-Pierce County YMCA, while supplies last.

Registration may be required for some programs; contact branches for details. Rotaries of Pierce County are the primary sponsor for Pierce County Library System’s 2008 summer reading program, along with donations to Pierce County Library Foundation and Friends of the Libraries.
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Sign up and learn more about summer reading @
www.piercecountylibrary.org/kids-teens/summer-reading-2008/