Chambersburg District Libraries

RELEASE DATE: July 11, 2003

CONTACT PERSON: Bernice Crouse 717-709-0282 x212 bdcrouse@fclspa.org

SUBJECT: Summer Reading Clubs are in Full Swing

RELEASE DATE: July 11, 2003

CONTACT PERSON: Bernice Crouse, 717.709.0282 x212, bdcrouse@fclspa.org

SUBJECT: Summer Reading Clubs are in Full Swing

“Get in the Game @ your Library” is the theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program at your local public library. “All of the youth services staff in the Franklin County Library System have been hard at work presenting programs and giving out prizes,” according to Ricky Prado, Chambersburg District Libraries District Consultant. “We just hope as many families as possible are taking advantage of what Summer Reading Programs have to offer the children of Franklin County during such a rainy summer.”

The program at the Coyle Free Library began June 16 and runs through August 2. Children between the ages of 2 and 12 are invited to join the “Reading Team.” When they register they receive a book bag, a book log, and instructions for the program. They can then register for various crafts, story times, and other activities. Although children have to be between 2 and 12 to read for points and prizes, there are programs for those ages 0 to 12.

Coyle’s Summer Reading Program offers Infant/Toddler Laptimes for children ages 0-3 and their parents. These laptimes have such themes as “Playing on the Team”, “Playing in the Rain”, and “Playing with Animals.” There are stories and crafts programs for ages 3-5 and 6-8. The children are invited to make crafts ranging from kites to sombreros. For the older kids, ages 9-12, there is “The Craft Team” that meets weekly for various arts and crafts. Space is limited in all of these programs so pre-registration, not more than 2 weeks in advance, is required for each. There are also special activities planned for the whole family every Thursday.

“Summer Reading Club is great because it keeps the kids reading all summer and helps them keep up their reading skills for when they go back to school in the fall,” said Carol McNamee, Youth Services Librarian. So far this year 377 kids are registered at Coyle. “There is great interest in the programs,” said McNamee, “All of the programs are pretty much filled to capacity each week.”

Whether the library can have such an extensive Summer Reading Program for next summer is uncertain, according to McNamee. “If the budget cuts go through then we won’t have the staff to do the programs.” The state budget as it stands now reduces state aid to public libraries by 50%.

For more information on Summer Reading Programs in the Franklin County Library System please contact your local library.

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