by Lorraine Agnewfor the Progress
No more pencils; no more books; no more teacher’s dirty looks. School may be out for summer, but children of all ages are invited by the library to keep on reading.The Maple Shade Library’s Summer Reading Program encourages children to pick up a book when they can this summer. In return for reading, they can earn prizes for their efforts.“Children are encouraged to read anything of interest to them. The summer months are a great opportunity to help children develop their reading skills by reading strictly for pleasure,” said Library Assistant Nancy Mitchell of the Maple Shade Branch of the Burlington County Library System.The Maple Shade Library participates in this Collaborative Summer Library Program developed by a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading materials, Mitchell said.This year the collaborative theme is water. The children’s program is called ‘Make a Splash Read!’ and the teen program is ‘Make Waves at Your Library’She said the children enjoy all aspects of the program that include prizes, contests, crafts and special shows.“The main focus of the summer program is to make learning fun,” said Mitchell.There are three groups separated by age. The “Read-to-me Club” is for age 3 to 6; “Independent Readers Club” is for children age 7 to 11; and “Teen Club” is designed for those 12 to 18 years old.There is no set time for participants to meet, said Mitchell.“They read on their own time and just keep track of how much time they’ve spent reading. Children receive a prize for every four hours of reading they complete. Most children receive their certificate at the End-of-Summer Reading Party held in August,” she said.It’s not too late to join in the fun, said Mitchell. Children and teens can sign up anytime now until the program’s conclusion on Aug. 13.There is also a variety of programs scheduled throughout the summer that children and families can attend together, from story times and crafts to special guest performances.This summer, some special programs will be presented by The New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences based out of the Camden Aquarium, the American Swedish Historical Museum and the Mad Scientists of West New Jersey, said Mitchell.Participants do not have to live in Maple Shade, however, they must be residents of Burlington County and have a valid library card. There is no charge for these programs.Mitchell runs the children’s programs throughout the year, also.“I create the story time programs, for 3- to 6- year olds, and craft programs for children ages 6 through 14, as well as hire professional performers,” said Mitchell.Maple Shade Branch Library Assistant Jon Braun, invites adults to catch up on their reading, too, and said the library is also offering incentives for them as well.“To join, patrons must stop by the library and pick up a Summer Reading folder from the Adult Summer Reading Display in the Maple Shade Library. This folder contains a magnet, bookmark, book suggestions and a blank review form,” he said.Participants are required to read a book, and he notes that any book will do, and write a short review that will be submitted to either the Circulation or Reference desk. The participant is handed a prize slip that can be entered into one of six Summer Reading Grand Prize Drawings.Prizes include a gardening prize that includes tools, seeds and more; a movie night prize that includes three movies and snacks; a beach basket prize that includes towels, sand castle tools, bucket and more; a yoga/fitness prize that includes a yoga mat, a fitness DVD, hand weights and more; the family game prize that includes board games, dominoes and other activities; and the Spa/Beauty Prize that includes an eye mask, facial treatments, moisturizing lotion and other beauty needs.“For each review submitted, patrons may choose one book from our adult summer reading prize shelf, which is loaded with popular, brand new and used books,” Braun said.He also invites everyone to come out for the Summer Film Series.Movies with water-related themes will be shown at various dates throughout the summer. The schedule includes, “Jaws,” “Finding Nemo,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” among others.For information, visit www.bcls.lib.nj.us/summerread.
Library Summer Reading Program encourages adults, kids to read