Be creative @ your library
Published 11:00 am Saturday, June 6, 2009
The Albert Lea Public Library’s Children’s Room is urging kids to get creative this summer.
The library launches its summer reading program Monday. This year’s theme is “Be Creative@Your Library.” In addition to offering incentives for reading, the library will also host a number of creative activities in which kids can take part.
But the real idea behind the program is to keep kids reading. “Many studies show children who don’t read during the summer tend to lose some of their skills, and it takes months for them to catch up,” Patty Greibrok, children’s librarian, said.
Kids will be eligible for incentive prizes for reading between June 8 and July 25.
Kids who read picture books or have books read to them will read five books for their first prize, five books for their second prize and five books for their third and final prize. This is the “crafty kids” category.
Kids who read chapter books will be known as “junior artists.” Kids read two chapter books for their first prize, two for their second prize and two for their third prize.
To sign up, go to www.alplonline.org. Click on the summer reading link. Choose the program depending on reading level. Click “sign up.” Fill in the required fields. Click “continue.” Activate membership by calling or visiting the library.
Kids can start reading and recording books on Monday. They’ll need to login with their library card numbers and password, click on their names and click “record activity.” After that, they will type in the title, author and ISBN number of the book and click save.
After each level is completed, the kids stop by the library to redeem their prizes.
The children’s librarian said anyone who needs help signing up can call the children’s library at 377-4356 or stop by. “As long as they have a library card, they can sign up over the phone,” she said. “If a day care wants to take part, we can do it for the whole group. We understand it’s not always possible to get to the library.”
Greibrok said that in recent years, kids have had to read more to reach their goals, but her concern was that the program was only reaching kids who love to read anyway. She’s hoping that by lowering the requirement, more non-readers will join in.
“The readers may get done earlier, but what I hope is that children who don’t love to read will do it,” she said.
“If they do read and succeed, they’ll see what a joy it is,” Greibrok added.
The library staff has prepared a number of activities to keep kids coming to the library and checking out books.
From June 8 to July 25, there will be special events at the library at 3 p.m.
The events are as follows:
June 11: Magician Jim Jayes shows at 2 and 3 p.m.
June 18: Creative art party. Arts and crafts.
June 25: Bingo for prizes.
July 2: Red, white and blue event. Crafts and games.
July 9: Tie dye. Bring something to tie dye.
July 16: Music program.
July 23: Summer celebration. Fun and games at the Fountain Lake Park gazebo.
Storytimes continue at 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 8 to July 23. There will be evening storytime Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. from June 11 to July 23.
L.A.F. (Library Afternoon Fun) will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesdays from June 9 to July 21. There will be arts, crafts and games.
Movie day is Wednesdays at 3 p.m. from June 10 to July 22. Thirty seats are available.
Emma the therapy dog will be on hand Mondays at 2 p.m. Kids who struggle with reading out loud can come and read to Emma for 15 minutes. Kids must pre-register to read to Emma.
All events are free of charge. There is no need to register, with the exception of Emma the therapy dog.
Summer library hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The summer reading program is sponsored by the Albert Lea Friends of the Library.