Dream Big-Read...and Own the Night This Summer!

May 02, 2012

It's that time of year again. It's warming up outside, students everywhere are counting down to the end of the school year, and here at MCPL, we're gearing up for the Summer Reading Program! In order to encourage kids and teens to retain the literacy skills they've learned at school, the library works to reward reading achievement when class isn't in session. Research has shown that at least 15 minutes of sustained daily reading prevents information loss. The brain wants to be stimulated, and we're in the business of making sure it gets its fill.

The theme for the children's program this year is Dream Big! It's all about letting your imagination soar. There are two categories for children.

• The first is listeners. Children aged 0-6 count as listeners. Read 24 books to them to earn a free paperback. When you've completed your third book, choose from an additional paperback or a special prize!
• Children aged 6-11 qualify as readers. They'll be documenting the time they spend reading in order to win their books. We're asking for 360 minutes of reading per reading log. It's not as bad as it sounds! If you were to read for 15 minutes a day, you'd be able to complete all three logs during the Summer Reading Program. As with the listeners, readers can choose a special prize in lieu of a third book if they so desire.

We also want to encourage groups to take part in the Summer Reading Program! Daycares, community centers, youth-centered organizations: we want to hear from you! Chances are there's a MCPL branch near you. The younger children in your group can earn incentives when you read aloud to them, and older children can participate in the program independently. MCPL also provides Teacher's Assist, which can make the job of selecting titles a lot easier. Just fill out a list of the subjects you'd like books on, and the library will do what it can to help put those resources in your hands!

Children over the age of 11 qualify for the Teen Summer Reading Program. The lines we draw are only guidelines though. We encourage readers to read at their level, rather than too far above or below it. That being said, the theme for the Teen Summer Reading Program for 2012 is Own the Night. It's an exciting time to be a teen because we're changing things up this year. Instead of being required to read for a certain period of time, we're asking teens to review the books they read. For every review written, the participant earns one library buck. Library bucks can be exchanged for a number of services and prizes. Pay off a library fine, buy a book to take home, get an awesome new messenger bag, or a flash drive. It's a really sweet deal! The following is a list of the things library bucks can be used to purchase and the number of library bucks required for each.

• MCPL Logo Earbuds: 1 library buck
• Replacement Card: 1 library buck
• Overdue fine of $1.00: 1 library buck
• 10 copies/prints in black and white OR 2 prints in full color: 1 library buck
• Prize Book: 2 library bucks:
• Messenger Bag: 3 library bucks
• Flash Drive: 5 library bucks

While the Summer Reading Program ends July 31st, library bucks that have been earned can be redeemed for prizes through August 3rd. Services (paying fines or making prints) can be redeemed through December. One thing library bucks can't be used for is to pay for lost or damaged materials. Anything else is fair game!

We won't be able to make change for library bucks though...sorry! As an example, a library buck can be used to replace a lost card, but, while the cost is only $.50, staff would not be able to give you $.50 in change. Make sense?

We encourage you to keep on reviewing even after you've earned enough bucks to purchase the whole collection of prizes! Why, you might ask? Two reasons.

A. There are a ton of great titles coming out this summer, and you'll find yourself sucked in quicker than you think! 

B. You could win a Netbook computer! The more reviews you post, the greater your odds of winning. You'll also be helping fellow teens decide whether or not to check out a book. Honest, well-thought out reviews are incredibly helpful! 

There might also be a few review-oriented contests going on this summer and an additional prize or two for our winners? Sounding like a sweet deal? Sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Program today! 

Finally, we'd like to invite all teens to submit artwork interpreting the theme Own the Night. Photography, paintings, sketches, anything goes! We want to add some life to the Young Adult section. Ask to talk to Jean or Amanda if you're willing to contribute!                   

Amanda W.
North Independence Branch