Summer Reading 2009 Ends With Fun for All

Thursday, July 30, our Summer Reading Program: READ on the Wild Side, culminated with an awards ceremony attended by 150 adults, parents, grandparents, and care givers. Prizes were awarded to the top readers in each age category 5 - 12. Pre-school drawing winners and school trophy recipients were also announced. Shirts were then distributed to all the readers who reached their summer reading goal.

As the Youth Service Staff reflected back on this summer's program, we all agreed that this one was extra fun for the readers and all who participated. Of course, we could not have had such success without the support of all the Library staff, the committment of our Library Board, the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and care givers who not only read with and record logs with the readers, but bring the readers to the Library each week during the program. Our city schools are also a great support to the program. Not only do they allow me to visit with the students every spring to explain what the program has to offer, they also set summer school reading goals for their students. These are tracked throughout the summer, posted on our bulleting board, with trophies being awarded to the schools who reach their goal.

Another component our Summer Reading Program is our wonderful corporate sponsor, Weyerhaeuser, who allowed us to bring in such fabulous family entertainment each Thursday. Last, but certainly not least, we extend a big thank you to all our local sponsors who gave prizes or who gave donations to purchase all the shirts! Amounts large or small are all important to making a happy, fun, reading summer for the young people of our community.

We invite everyone to stop in the Youth Services Department in late August to view our scrapbook of the Summer Reading Program. Reading is such an important life skill. Ask questions about how you can be a part of this important community program that reaches approximately 500 children.