This article was sent to me by oedb.org and is titled, "15 Libraries Taking Summer Reading to the Next Level" and can be found here.
When all three of us lived at home during the summer which now hasn't happened for two years, we would have contests to see who could read the greatest amount of books. It was always interesting to see what the three of us would read individually. My mom and I tend to read similar books and Brytten reads biographies of her icons; Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe, Goldie Hawn. Oh and there was that summer I read every book Tom Brokaw has ever written...
As college students that face nine months of reading materials selected for us and having a minute amount of time for leisure reading, I think its important that we use our summer months to catch up on the stories we want to immerse ourselves in. This list compiles libraries across the country that have set out to cater to the summer reading desires of adult readers.
Here are my favorite things about each library included in this list:
Framingham Public Library
This library leads a reading competition much like the one we all did around third grade. Adult readers can log the amount of books they read, chosen completely on their own and the final prize is a Kindle. I love a good, healthy reading competition!
The Charles H. Stone Memorial Library
This library has a summer reading program for younger readers. I am a big fan of the program they have instigated because it combines reading and also the joys of summer that are unique to those three great months. Besides just reading, the young readers participating in this program can participate in a mobile space lab, yoga classes, magic shows and other fun activities designed especially for tween and teen readers.
Pima County Public Library
This library also has interactive activities for readers of every age. There are over 100 activities for its reading program participants to engage themselves with including learning more about native plants, taking photos, painting landscapes, cardio kung fu and younger kids can enjoy juggling shows, story time, and rocket-building activities.
Metropolitan Library System
Like the previous libraries this library also combine creativity-boosting activities in conjunction with reading like fiends. Activities include magic shows, steampunk-themed exhibits, business buidling classes, wizard rock shows (I have to admit, I am not entirely sure what that would be...), and a gnome hunt. A gnome hunt?? How can that not be fun?!
New Orleans Public Library
I am a big fan of all things New Orleans and it is one of my favorite cities I have traveled to so I was delighted to see it included on the list. Following the trend, this library promotes fun hands-on-learning-without-realizing-you-are-learning activities. But what is most impressive is that it boasts 500 teens and a whopping 3,260 kids signed up to participate in the summer reading program.
Newton Country Library
This library has a unique system set up to encourage summer reading. Kids can sign up and pledge to read at least 15 minutes a day. When I read the pledge part I envisioned a secret readers handshake. Winner then receive free books and gift certificates. The library also brings in storytellers and kids can journey to the library to read under the stars, which I absolutely adore.
Indianapolis Public Library
Ok I love everything about this library. Their program is called Gear Up for Good and is open to readers as young as toddlers. Go them! The program includes a children's book blog suggesting recommended books and most impressively an earn-and-learn program to help youngsters pay off library debt. Which would have been nice for Brytten and I when we were little as I am pretty sure we are now thousands of dollars in debt to the Sioux Falls Public Library because the books we checked out about 13 years ago are still dwelling in my bedroom.
Fort Worth Public Library
I really like this library's attempt to combine fine arts in young readers. Their program not only encourages reading, obviously but also brings a jazz festival and art exhibits to the library. Way to go having all their bases covered.
Harris County Public Library
The summer reading program at this library saw a humongous 81% jump in participation in the last year. This program encourages participants to utilize a ReaderNation blog to get suggestions for reading materials and then share their thoughts on the selections. They can even sign up with a personal reading consultant which I may have to add to my list of dream jobs.
Clermont County Public Library
Their summer reading program's theme is "Read: Morning, Noon, and Night." Simply awesome.
Findlay Hancock County Public Library
Like most of the other libraries in this list, this library combines other art forms along with the great art of reading. But these activities include scrapbooking, jewelry making and basket weaving. I love that!
New York Public Library
The mega-famous library has 23,000 registrants that can participate in awesome-ness like chess games, films, video games, and knitting circles.
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| Brytten and I at the New York Public Library five years ago |
This library is motivated to get the whole family involved in summer reading and has instigated programs including admiring creatures from the local River Ecology Lab, a Star Wars family fun night (ok, the three of us wouldn't have found that too fun...), an abstract painting class (that we would have found fun), and puppet shoes.
Seattle Public Library
Summer readers in Seattle can take part in movie nights, grown-up story times, operatic performances, readings, and lectures on science and literature topics.
San Antonio Public Library
Teen readers in this summer reading program can share reviews and make reading suggestions online. Maybe they will become future bloggers. Most impressively, and what makes this library probably the best on the list is their free lunch program which invites underprivileged kids to eat lunch, enjoy a book and take part in a community program.
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