Seneca Falls Library's Summer Reading Program
Gives Kids the Right to Choose Their Own Reading
Registration for Kids of All Ages Begins June 21st
Librarians and Teachers Create "Kids Choice" Reading List
Seneca Falls Library is encouraging all children this summer to participate in the New York State Library's statewide summer reading program, "New York is Read, White and Blue," suggesting that kids should exercise their rights of liberty and the pursuit of happiness by choosing books to read that they will find interesting and entertaining.
According to educational research, if children select their own reading material, the positive experience leads to more time spent reading and improved reading ability. In promoting reading as a leisure activity, Seneca Falls Library invites children to read at their own pace and have fun!
New York State Commissioner of Education Richard P. Mills endorses this goal. "Summer reading should be an adventure of the imagination, providing an alternative to the structured reading curriculum of school. While children benefit enormously from the literature they are introduced to in school, the summer should offer kids the chance to read strictly for pleasure by choosing something they might not read in the classroom setting." Studies show that if a child actively reads during the summer months their retention of knowledge increases, vocabulary expands, and comprehensive and analytical skills are enhanced.
Seneca Falls Library, which serves more than 700 children each summer, encourages youngsters and parents to sign up for the 2004 summer reading program, "New York is Read, White and Blue" on or after Monday, June 21. Children excited about reading will continue to read. And, the more kids read, the more they expand their minds and broaden their choices in reading material.
"Summer is a great time to explore many types of books and have fun," says Suzanne Mathewson, Summer Reading Coordinator. "Children will become better readers because they'll be reading what they've chosen and what they like."
This year, in addition to all the fun reading programs, a new "Kids Choice" summer reading brochure will help children jump-start their summer reading journey. The brochure, which recommends 60 fun books selected by a committee of librarians and teachers, includes a variety of kid-friendly authors and genres in age-appropriate categories from toddler to school age to young adult. The brochures are free at local public libraries, or online at the Web site www.summerreadingnys.org, where additional information and fun activities are also available.
Seneca Falls Library offers a variety of fun programs for all age groups. All summer long, kids will be inspired to read with story times, performances and arts and crafts from such local visitors as the author of more than 20 books, Cynthia DeFelice, Jim McCarthy's "Read Across America," and "The Emperor's New Clothes" performed by the Merry-Go-Round Theatre.
Planning for the 2004 New York State Summer Reading Program, "New York is Read, White and Blue" was made possible with Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Kids Choice brochure is made possible by Simon and Schuster, Inc. and United Media. Children participating in the summer reading programs at their libraries are eligible to win books contributed by Scholastic Inc. This organization is supported in part by public funds from NYSCA Decentralization Program, which is administered locally by Finger Lakes Grants and Services, Inc.
Celebrate Summer at Seneca Falls Library
Mother Goose Time for pre-schoolers (ages 2-5)
10 AM Tuesdays: July 6, 13, 20, 27
Summer Reading Club for grades K-2 (in 2003-04)
1 p.m. Tuesdays: July 6, 13, 20, 27 & August 3
Summer Reading Club for grades 3-6 (in 2003-2004)
1 p.m. Thursdays: July 8, 15, 22, 29 & August 5
Special Events
Tuesday, July 6: Meet author Cynthia DeFelice, 1 p.m.
Thursday, July 22: "New York is Read, White & Blue" with Jim McCarthy, 1 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 5: Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre, 1 p.m., "The Emperor's New Clothes"
The library is located at 47 Cayuga Street and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday during the Summer.
Contact: Jacqueline Grey
(315) 568-8265 x 4
Email Address: jgrey@rochester.rr.com
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