First Posted: 5/27/2011

Hi once again. Last week I wrote an article asking the question: Why summer reading? In this article, I will explain a part of what the Summer Reading Program at the Robeson County Public Library involves for children and teens participating.

The theme for the Summer 2011 program is “One World, Many Stories” for children, 12 and under, and You Are Here for teens, ages 13 to 18 years old. Let’s start out talking about the reading portion of the program. Both programs start June 17. For children of all ages, a kick-off party will be held at the Osterneck Auditorium, across the street from the Lumberton branch, at 1 p.m. featuring Paul Miller of “The Flow Circus.” Miller performs a vaudeville-style act that involves juggling, magic, physical comedy and improvisation. The performance is free, of course, and all are welcome. Having seen Miller perform at least twice before, I guarantee laughs aplenty. What could be better than a good show teamed up with Summer Reading registration (in which you get free prizes and the all important Reading Record)? If you cannot make the performance, you can still sign up for Summer Reading at any of the following library locations: Pembroke, Maxton, St. Pauls, Fairmont, Rowland, Red Spring and Proctorville.

For both the “One World, Many Stories” and “You Are Here” programs, here is a brief description of how the reading portion of the programs works. After a child or teen has signed up and gotten his or her free prizes and Reading Record, they can read 10 hours then take their Reading Record to any of the participating library locations listed above and get more free prizes. After this, they can read another 10 hours, for a total of 20 hours, and bring their Reading Records in for even more free prizes. In addition for completing 20 hours of reading, a child or teen will be put into a drawing to win such big-ticket items as MP3 player, $25 gift cards to Walmart and much, much more. Now you may be wondering: “What are the 10- and 20-hour prizes?” Well these items will vary on the age of the child or teen, but basically they could be anything from free food coupons to local restraints, hacky sacks, tennis shoe key chains, temporary tattoos, plush animals and lots more. It’s a good deal and everyone wins.

One part of the “One World, Many Stories” program I feel very strongly about is that children who are too young to read can also participate. There are just two differences in the program for them. The first is it is not the number of hours read, but the number of times they are read to by a parent or guardian. Basically 10 hours becomes 10 times and 20 hours becomes 20 times. The second is that they are not included for the big-ticket item drawing; they are too young for the items that will be drawn. I hope all this information is still sounding good to all reading this article.

I haven’t even stated talking about the programs that will be offered. Oh well, until next time.

n Bill Corder is the Youth Services Librarian at the Robeson County Public Library.