Published: May 21, 2008 11:03 pm            

Children catch the reading bug at the library this summer

Children ages 5 to 12 may participate in the Summer Reading Program, “Catch the Reading Bug,” at their hometown Pioneer System libraries in Cleveland, McClain or Pottawatomie counties this summer.

Programs are in June and July; signing up to participate begins as early as May 30 in some hometown libraries, with most kicking off the summer June 2.

When children sign up, they set a goal of a number of books to read (or to have read to them.) They can record their progress toward their goal in a reading log. Each child will also receive a book sack and book mark. Each week, children can return to their library and participate in that week’s activities.

Some of the popular programs presented at most Pioneer branch libraries this summer are “The Big Magic Book Bugventure” with storyteller and musician Ryan Bellgardt; “The Magic of Bugs,” presented by magician Steve Crawford who uses comedy and magic to explore the mysterious world of insects.

“Antonette and Cicada” is a musical play performed by Rhythmically Speaking, an Oklahoma Arts Council Touring Artists Theater Group. “Bug-aloo and Boogie” is performed by the Sugar Free Allstars musical performers.

The Children’s Summer Reading Program is part of a state-wide reading initiative developed by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and offered with the support of Sonic, Inc., America’s Drive In. Touring programs in the Pioneer Library System are made possible through the support of Hitachi Computer Products (America), Inc., Oklahoma Arts Council and Friends of the Library groups in each community.

Summer reading programs have proven to maintain or improve children’s reading skills during the summer away from school. Reading readiness is enhanced for younger children when a parent or older sibling reads to the youngest in the family, according to information from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

Pioneer Library System requires that children ages 10 and under must be supervised by a responsible care-giver or parent. Parents are reminded that most programs last less than one hour, and that library telephones are business phones and not readily available for children to use to call for transportation.

Each of the nine Pioneer Library System’s branch libraries’ summer activities are posted on the system’s Web page calendar at www.justsoyouknow.us. There also are special programs for teens and adults planned at each branch and posted on the Web.

        

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