Summer Reading Starts June 1st - Something for All Ages!

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 22, 2014

Summer Reading Starts June 1st, Something for All Ages!

Pre-Reader & Youth Theme: Fizz Boom Read

Teen Theme: Spark a Reaction; 

Adult Theme: Literary Elements

Washington County, Oregon: With warm weather finally in the air that means the long days of summer must be just around the corner. Librarians all over Washington County have been hard at work preparing for the 2014 Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) Summer Reading program, and it all finally starts on Sunday, June 1st. We invite you to stop by your library and sign-up for a summer of FUN!

For adults, "summer reading" often means finally finding enough hours in your day to read that best seller that has been sitting on your nightstand for the past six months. But this year the local libraries want to help you make it mean just a little bit more! From June through August the public libraries in Washington County will offer four unique summer reading programs designed for pre-readers, youth, teens and adults.

According to WCCLS Director, Eva Calcagno, "it is well documented that kids who read for pleasure in the summer retain academic skills and do better when they return to school in the fall. And it is not just in reading. Kids who do not read over the summer can slide backward in all subject areas. This can mean big losses in overall literacy growth compared to children who continue learning all year long."  That is why when it comes to summer reading, we often think of children first. But in the 15 WCCLS member libraries - summer reading is wrapped up in a whole lot of fun – for readers of all ages!

This summer for our your participants WCCLS is bringing to all 15 libraries:

• The Charlie Brown Show - Comedy and daring feats of juggling all rolled up into one great big guy, affectionately known as Charlie Brown. Juggling fun for the whole family!
• Mad Science – Spin! Pop! Boom! –Watch in awe as Mad Scientists create a variety of erupting experiments! Guaranteed to be amazing!
• Red Yarn - Deep Woods Naturalist - Calling all naturalists! Sing, dance and laugh along with Red Yarn and his lovable critters as they take you on a scientific journey into the Deep Woods.

But summer reading isn’t just for young kids – Washington County libraries offer cool programs to teens and a countywide program for adults. This year Teen Summer Readers can learn to draw a creature, scale up the drawing using a grid, make a pattern with seam allowance and then hand-sew they’re very own – Ugly Doll. Visit the events calendar for dates and locations www.wccls.org/tsrp.

For participants up to age 18 we also have great reading rewards from community partners who share our passion for literacy – the Portland Trail Blazers, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation – Swim Centers, Portland Thorns, and Oaks Amusement Park.

Adults may also participate in the summer reading program – register as a reader on-line to have the chance to win an iPad Mini! Participants can take advantage of great book lists to find new authors, or meet other bibliophiles at library programs this summer. Readers are invited to post their own book reviews to the wccls.org catalog and library social media sites. On July 8, 9 and 10 WCCLS hosts special events with author, activist, journalist and blogger Cory Doctorow. Author of bestselling novel Little Brother, Doctorow will be speaking about how technology and politics affect our lives as readers and citizens.

In addition to the prize sponsors listed above, we wish to thank several community partners who contributed to the WCCLS Summer Reading program this year, including Metro Parent Magazine, Comcast, The Oregonian, El Hispanic News, PQ Monthly, KUIK 1360 radio and AlphaGraphics.

We are looking forward to seeing readers of all ages this summer in the library and online!

Pre Reader & Youth Themes:     Fizz Boom Read (www.wccls.org/srp)

Teen Theme:     Spark a Reaction (www.wccls.org/tsrp)

Adult Theme:     Literary Elements (www.wccls.org/asrp)

The Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), includes the: Banks Public Library, Beaverton City Library, Beaverton City Library @ Murray Scholls, Cedar Mill Community Library, Cedar Mill Community Library @ Bethany, Cornelius Public Library, Forest Grove City Library, Garden Home Community Library, Hillsboro Public Libraries (Main and Shute Park), North Plains Public Library, Sherwood Public Library, Tigard Public Library, Tualatin Public Library, and West Slope Community Library.

NOTE – Graphics Available: The four summer reading theme graphics are available for your use – please email [email protected] to request the graphics.

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