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Popular summer reading program begins June 1
Beginning June 1, kids and teens throughout Multnomah County can visit any Multnomah County Library location to sign up and participate in the annual Summer Reading program that encourages youngsters to read during the summer and reduce annual summer reading skills loss.
Reading Rockets, a national educational service funded by the U.S. Department of Education, reports that "children from low-income families have more restrictive access to books, both in school and at home, than do their more advantaged peers." Summer reading skills loss is one factor contributing to the achievement gap between more and less economically advantaged students.
"Multnomah County Library, with the support of The Library Foundation, will address this issue during the 2005 Summer Reading program," says reading promotions coordinator Katie O'Dell. "Our outreach staff will bring the Summer Reading program to federal lunch sites, housing authority locations and low-income childcare centers. We're going to reach far out beyond the library walls, into the communities where participating in a summer reading program is not a tradition, not even a known possibility."
This year's game encourages players to read and earn incentives for each block of time they read. Youth of all ages, including very young children who are being read to by a parent or caregiver, as well as older kids who are reading on their own, can participate in Summer Reading. All kids who complete the required reading receive their choice of a Summer Reading T-shirt or a coupon for a free book.
All participants who complete their required reading and turn in their game board by August 31will also are entered in the grand prize drawing for a family vacation for four to Disneyland.
Teens can participate in a separate program this year that was designed just for them. For each block of reading or reading-related activities that they complete, they may enter a weekly drawing at their neighborhood library for a chance to win prize packs. Prize packs include tickets to local sporting events and theater venues; youth passes on TriMet, art products and gift certificates for CDs and videos.
Participants have the option of earning Book Bucks instead of receiving prizes. Book Bucks will go toward buying books for childcare centers and children in homeless shelters.
Throughout the summer, Multnomah County libraries will host a number of programs for kids and families. More than 150 programs will be offered at 17 library locations and will include craft workshops, live concerts, puppet shows and opportunities to meet animals. A listing of all of the free summer programs at the library is available at www.multcolib.org/events/.
Last year, more than 47,000 kids and teens took part in Multnomah County Library's Summer Reading program. Libraries throughout the country regularly conduct summer reading programs to encourage reading for pleasure, especially when school is not in session. "Research has shown that reading is the single summer activity most strongly and consistently related to summer learning," says O'Dell. "Children who read books over the summer gain more in reading achievement than children who do not and the number of books read during the summer is consistently related to academic gains," she adds.
Gregory Heights Library, 7921 N.E. Sandy Blvd., 503-988-5386, www.multcolib.org/agcy/grh.html
Story Stop: Feel free to ask for a short program of fun stories when three or more children are gathered.
Pajama Time: Put on your pajamas; grab a bedtime buddy and sit down with librarians for stories, songs and fun Wednesdays from 7 to 7:30 p.m.
Preschool Storytime: Storytime for children 3 to 6 years with adult every Thursday from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Book Babies: Storytime for children newborns to 12 months with adult every Thursday from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Tiny Tots: Storytime for children 12 to 24 months with adult, Fridays from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Artist Trading Cards: Saturday June 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. create your own trading cards using colored pencils, rubber stamps, collage and more. You may keep your cards or trade with other artists.
The Emperor's New Clothes: The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes. Shocking news to say the least. How does a respectable emperor, famous for his love of clothes and fashion, wind up in the town square without a stitch? Listen and learn the answers Wednesday, June 8 from 7 to 7:45 p.m. as the court's musician, Emily Alexander, recounts the timeless classic by Hans Christian Andersen.
Summer Spinners: Create colorful spinners that twirl in the wind Saturday, June 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with artist Kathy Karbo. Use paper, glue, hole punches and more.
Teen Lounge and Homework Center: For teens only, grades 6 to 12, Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. use computers to access the Internet and do word processing; get homework help from staff and online tutors, or just do your homework and listen to music while hanging out in beanbag chairs,
Language Exchange: Engage in conversation with native English speakers who want to practice their Spanish as well as with native Spanish speakers who want to practice their English Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m.
Pageturners: Engage in stimulating conversation about books, exchange perspectives about characters and plot, and get to know your neighbors. Join this book club sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Read "Ahab's Wife: The Star-Gazer" by Sena Jeter Naslund for discussion on Tuesday, June 21 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Computer Lab: Lab assistants are available to help beginners practice their computer skills. You may also ask for basic assistance writing reports, creating résumés, establishing an e-mail account, preparing research projects, filling out online application forms, and locating library and Internet resources Mondays and Saturdays in June from 9 to 10 a.m.
Word Processing I: On Wednesday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to noon learn how to use the basic features of Microsoft Word 2000. Participants need to be comfortable using a keyboard and mouse. Preregistration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234.
E-mail for Beginners: Prerequisite: Web Basics. Learn how to use free e-mail on the Web, like Yahoo or Hotmail. Sign up, then compose and send messages to anywhere in the world Saturday, June 4 from 9 to 10 a.m. Preregistration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234.
Searching the Web: Prerequisite: Web basics or Internet experience. This new, two-hour class combines Web Searching I and Web Searching II so you can learn several Web searching tools at once. Preregistration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234. Wednesday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Ave., 503-988-5392, www.multcolib.org/agcy/mid/html
Story Stop: Stories for children newborn to 6 years. Daily from 1:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Book Babies: Storytime for children newborn to 12 months; Tuesday, June 14, 21 and 28 from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
Tiny Tots: Storytime for children 12 to 24 months. Wednesday, June 15, 22 and 29 from 10 to 10:45 a.m.
Toddler Story time: Storytime for children 24 to 36 months. Wednesday, June 15, 22 and 29 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Preschool Story time: Storytime for children 3 to 6 years. Thursday, June 16, 23 and 30 from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
The Weaver and the Herd Boy: Saturday, June 18 from 2 to 3 p.m. Wool Horse Puppet Theater presents this Japanese legend of the weaver maiden and the herd boy and their love for each other, performed with marionettes.
Border Collies International Performing Canine Team: This three-dog team entertains and educates audiences with sports demonstrations, such as Frisbee, soccer, football and basketball. Thursday, June 23 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Jugglemania: Rhys Thomas dazzles you with improbable juggling, unique comedy and amazing acrobatics.
Thursday, June 30 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Read to the Dogs: Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to therapy dogs from the Dove Lewis Animal Assisted Therapy and Education Program Mondays, June 6 and 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays, June 7 and 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Preregistration required; call 503-988-5392.
Talk Time: Talk Time is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. This is not a class, but an opportunity to meet new people, share your culture and have fun Tuesday, June 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be served. Only English will be spoken. Sign up in advance at the library, or just come to any session.
Pageturners: Engage in stimulating conversation about books, exchange perspectives about characters and plot, and get to know your neighbors. Join this book club sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For the discussion on Tuesday, June 14 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. read "The Adventures of Augie March" by Saul Bellow.
And for the discussion on Wednesday, June 15 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.
Computer Lab: Lab assistants are available Fridays from 2:30 to 5 p.m. to help beginners practice their computer skills. You may also ask for basic assistance writing reports, creating résumés, establishing an e-mail account, preparing research projects, filling out online application forms, and locating library and Internet resources. No pre-registration required..
Web for Computer Novices: This class, held Monday, June 6 from 2:30 to 4 p.m., is designed for the complete beginner. Preregistration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234.
Web Basics: Learn about the World Wide Web Tuesday, June 7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, explore the library's home page, and practice entering Web addresses. Participants need to be comfortable using a keyboard and a mouse. Preregistration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234.
Web Searching I: Prerequisite: Web Basics. How do you find good information on the Web? Saturday, June 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Library staff will get you started with a few simple tools, and then help you understand why some Web sites might be better choices than others for reliable information. Preregistration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234.
Word Processing I: Learn how to use the basic features of Microsoft Word 2000 Monday, June 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. Select and modify text, cut and paste, open and save a document, and create your own party invitations. Participants need to be comfortable using a keyboard and mouse. Preregistration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234.
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