FREE SUMMER FUN FOR EVERYONE @ NORFOLK PUBLIC LIBRARY: SUMMER READING CLUBS, JUNE 28-AUGUST 28
(Norfolk, May 14, 2004) - Looking for something free and exciting this summer? If so, look no farther than your Norfolk Public Library. There is something for everyone including Rumplestiltskin and Beauty and the Beast puppet shows, the Grand Electro Science Show, a Sock Hop, informative talks, parties, prizes and more. Yes, Norfolk Public Library has it all and it is all free from June 28 through August 28 as part of the library's annual summer reading club. This summer the library has extended the days and hours of the club as well as added a club designed especially for adults.
Each summer over 15,000 youths and teens join Norfolk Public Library's Summer Reading Club. This year Norfolk Public Library expects more children to join. The library will offer sign-up and reading time every day during the Step to the Beat…Read! summer reading club. As in previous years, participants sign-up to read in libraries, at home, in Norfolk Public Schools, and at Norfolk recreation centers.
Children who can't read can still participate in the club. Parents can read to their children. "I encourage all parents to sign their children up for the summer reading club," says Norman Maas, Library Director for Norfolk Public Library. "I am committed to promoting early childhood literacy in our community. Our summer reading club helps parents prepare their children to become better readers," adds Maas.
Studies have shown that children who continue to read during the summer when school is not in session perform better in the fall when school resumes. Summer reading programs make educational reading activities fun and appealing to young people. Members of the Step to the Beat…Read! summer reading club receive a reading passport and collect weekly stamps for reading. In addition, readers will receive:
Each week, each library will hold a drawing featuring prizes such as a scooter and a personal CD player. Teens can sign up for Get Graphic and the Summer Book and Movie Review Night at Kirn Memorial Library. This year adults can also sign-up at any location for the Reading: It's a Classic Summer Reading Club. "Books offer us a glimpse into the past and into ourselves. In our adult summer reading club, our patrons can explore new horizons, hear exciting lectures, and earn chances to win great prizes like a DVD player and gift certificates to area stores," says Ben Haller, a librarian at Kirn Memorial Library.All summer reading clubs at Norfolk Public Library are sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library. Their contributions pay for programs and prizes that help promote summer reading and help Norfolk Public Library "create a city of readers." All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information on the Summer Reading Clubs and for a schedule of all programs visit our web site at www.npl.lib.va.us, or pick-up an events calendar in mid-June at any Norfolk Public Library location. You may also call 664-READ.