The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Library helps keep kids reading
By Jackie Smith, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: June 12, 2008
Chelsea kids of all ages can keep on reading this summer with the McKune Memorial Library's Youth and Teen Summer Reading Program.
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The yearly agenda begins the first day of summer vacation June 12 at the afternoon Opening Session registration.
"I think it's important, we want kids to keep reading in the summer," said Karen Persello, head of youth and teen services to McKune. "Personally, I think it's mostly fun. I get to know kids better."
There are two different themes this year, kids who have caught the reading bug for youths and metamorphosis for teenagers.
A variety of activities have been planned throughout the summer until the program's last day July 30, which alone entails a craft fair and a show of bugs for their very own insect Olympics.
Some of the highlights include Movie Mondays and Wild Wednesdays. The magic tournament on July 19 and the African dance and drumming activity with Tree of Life on July 24 are just a couple of the specific programs scheduled.
"We put a lot of time and effort into this," Persello said.
The Chelsea Community Library began work for the youth and teen events in January, however 37 states across the United States participate in the collaborative program and a workshop through the Michigan Library was held in December. Persello reports a participant increase of around 75 percent in Chelsea.
"The number of participants has gone from 400 to 700 since the 2006-2007 year," she said.
With more kids comes bigger and cooler rewards, specifically for youths it depends on the completion of their Reading Program rules.
For every five books read, they will receive a smaller prize and a grand prize drawing slip. By the end of the summer, kids may have a chance to win a free book.
"Basically, we are challenging kids to read 20 books this summer," Persello said. "Our grand prize drawing on July 30 will be for four Cedar Point tickets, an iPod shuffle, and summer toys. So there is some incentive to read, read, read!"
Teens who take part are to read 2,000 pages. The grand prizes are two $60 gift certificates, one to Borders Books and Hot Topic, and a brand new Play station Portable.
All of the fun is not reserved just for the kids. Adults also are encouraged to read this summer and participate in McKune's Adult Reading Program for the second summer in a row.
Bill Harmer, head of adult services, says they are already seeing an improvement since last summer's number of 300 participants with nearly 200 adults already actively reading, since the activity began May 15.
"Those are astronomical numbers," he said. "Summer reading programs have traditionally been for children and teenagers. Adults were always an afterthought."
Elizabeth Goldman is the reference librarian for the Chelsea Community, and she says the addition of prizes and adult-targeted activities lead to the result of higher participation.
"This year's theme is 'Pollinate Your Mind' and because Chelsea has so many avid gardeners, it is tailored to a gardening theme," she said.
The beginning prizes reflect the theme, with flower pots and bird seeds among the many. The prizes according to Harmer do make the adult program unique.
"If libraries do have an adult reading program, they're lucky if they make it worth people's time," Harmer said. "The prizes are really cool. They were bought locally in Chelsea. We have dozens and dozens to choose from."
After a certain amount of stamps and activities, larger prizes are available, like a 30 gigabyte iPod, tickets to a show at the Purple Rose Theatre and expensive gardening tools.
On Wednesday, July 30, there will be an Ice Cream Social to wrap the program, where a raffle of the grand prizes will take place.
Like the teen and youth program, weekly activities will occur, along with special events.
"We show movies outside Tuesday nights during (this month)," Harmer said.
Goldman says the film series was very popular last year, and expects it to be as fun as it was before.
"One of the library's goals is to be a good partner to the downtown Chelsea community," she said. "Our film series (and other programs) brings people to the area."
"The summer reading program is a fun way for adults to enjoy the library during the summer. It's relaxed and simple. There's no reason adults shouldn't be encouraged to read like kids are, and if you do read, why not let the library give you prizes for it?
"As an avid reader, I remember feeling a bit let down while home one summer from college that I couldn't participate in my library's summer reading program, so I'm glad libraries like Chelsea have found a way to include everybody."
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