CURWENSVILLE – Registration is currently under way for the summer reading program at the Curwensville Library. This year’s theme is “Libraries Rock.”
The program is open to all ages from birth to senior citizens. Interested individuals can register for summer reading and record the time spent reading in 15-minute increments or by the number of books read.
For every 60 minutes read or for each book read, one prize drawing ticket is earned.
“This year we are offering pre-schoolers, school-aged youth and teens the opportunity to earn extra prize drawing tickets by attending programs, completing tasks and completing worksheets,” explained Paula Collins, county library director.
“Youth Services Coordinator, Peggy Barrett, incorporated a few double ticket events to encourage our young people.”
The summer program offerings include:
- Pre-schoolers. Parents/caregivers read to a child to earn incentives and prize drawing tickets. Ages are for birth through Pre-K.
- School-Age kids and Young Adults read age-appropriate material of choice to earn incentives and prize drawing tickets. Overdrive eBooks and downloadable audio books are also allowed. Ages are: Group 1, K – Grade 4; Group 2, Grade 5 – Grade 7; and Young Adult, Grade 8 – high school graduation.
“The library reading program is designed to help students of all ages to maintain reading levels during the summer break, as well as, promotes reading for fun and encourages the development of reading for pleasure as a life-long habit,” Collins said.
- Read material of choice to earn prize drawing tickets. Each adult participant will also get The Great American Read list of 100 books. Any adult who reads from the list will receive double prize drawing tickets. For this, ages are 2018 graduate and older.
- Activities, Events and Programs. Each age group will be given a schedule at the time of registration that will list all the programs, including date/time, for that age group.
The kick-off program will be at 10 a.m. June 12 at the Curwensville Elementary gymnasium. Doors will open at 9:45 a.m. The program will feature Bobby Cadabra, a former member of M&M Magic.
The show will be an entertaining event for all ages. Cadabra combines magic, humor and audience participation to amaze and delight all in attendance.
The kick-off event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Curwensville Library.
“The summer reading participants have always enjoyed M&M Magic and their performances,” Collins said.
“Although we will miss seeing Danny this year, we are excited to see what Bobby has in store for us now that he is performing on his own.”
Another act will include “Connections,” featuring Education Via Magic. It will take place at 6 p.m. June 25 and is for ages 12 and older.
The performer uses magic and interaction with the audience to “examine eerie connections that we may or may not have with other people, the world beyond and inanimate objects.”
A cross between Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Twilight Zone, this event will entertain, excite and encourage the audience to contemplate “unnerving connections.”
“This is a new performer for us this year,” Collins said, “and we are pleased to be able to offer this event for the ages 12 and up age group.”
Adam Swartz Puppets will return again this year for the young participants to enjoy “Alice and Jimmy’s Epic Rock Dream.”
Collins said, “Adam Swartz Puppets is always a favorite with our youngest readers, and this year he has a great show to share with the audience. We hope to have a packed library with lots of young readers here to enjoy the show.”
Local presenters will include Sherry and Fred Berry; Cynthia Russell, representing Bilger’s Rocks; and Robert “Beau” Pennington, Curwensville music teacher and band director.
“The library is very lucky to have a wonderful relationship with the Curwensville Area School District administration, faculty and staff,” Collins said.
“The teachers go out of their way to help us promote and encourage participation in the summer program. This community is lucky to have such a great group of people inspiring our children to learn.”
Summer Community Service Project
Summer participants are asked to bring in any unexpired, non-perishable food item to help to collect donations for the Curwensville Food Pantry.
Local community members not registered for summer reading are also encouraged to participate in the food drive.
“I think that it is wonderful that Peggy does a summer community service project each year as part of the summer program. It teaches the youth to be generous and to give back to the community,” Collins said.