Summer Reading Starts June 1st - Something for Everyone!

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 22, 2015

Summer Reading Starts June 1st – Something for Everyone!

Pre-Reader and Youth Theme: Every Hero Has a Story
Teen Theme: Unmask
Adult Theme: WCCLS Reads

Washington County, Oregon: The long days of summer are just around the corner. Librarians across Washington County have been hard at work preparing for the 2015 Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) Summer Reading program, and it all starts on Monday, June 1st. We invite you to stop by your library and sign-up for a summer of FUN!

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 can suffer a summer slide in all subject areas. This can mean losses in overall literacy growth compared to children who continue reading and 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 WCCLS brings three high-energy and zany performers to each of our 15 libraries. Dates and times are listed on our website (www.wccls.org/srp):

• Alex Zerbe: Professional Zaniac - With the energy of 1,000 suns, The Zaniac bounces from one end of the stage to the other like an untamed rubber band. Two-time Guinness World Record holder!
• Angel Ocasio: Komedy 4 Da Kidz - A high energy, very funny one man variety show packed with physical comedy, jokes, juggling and comedy magic! Perfect for the whole family.
• Border Collie International K-9 Team - Rescued border collies play football, basketball, baseball, soccer, perform skits and show off their world class Frisbee skills!

Washington County libraries also offer cool programs for teens and a countywide program for adults, too. This year the Unmask Teen Summer Readers will discover the process of creating comics by attending one of the 15 Brad Clark Comic Workshops at our member libraries. Each workshop includes games and activities including writing, drawing and "inking" contests. Attendees will receive a free comic book. And, cosplay attire is encouraged.

Once again this year summer reading for adults means finding great book suggestions in your inbox, sharing your reads, prizes for book lovers, and events at your local library. We encourage you to sign-up on line (www.wccls.org/asrp) and check out the calendar of great events we have lined up for adults.

For youth and teen 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/T2, Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center and Oaks Amusement Park.

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

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

Pre Reader & Youth Themes: Every Hero Has a Story (www.wccls.org/srp)
Teen Theme: Unmask (www.wccls.org/tsrp)
Adult Theme: WCCLS Reads (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 and performer images available: The four summer reading theme graphics and images of our performers are available for your use – please email [email protected] to request the graphics.

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