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PrintGet Involved in the Tulsa Library Summer Reading Program
Since 1982, Tulsa City-County Library’s summer reading program has inspired children and teens to read, learn and explore. It motivates and rewards young readers while offering fun and educational programming that sparks the imagination.
More than 45,000 children and teens participated in the 2011 program — that is 1 in 4 children, under 18, in Tulsa County. From Glenpool to Skiatook, Broken Arrow to Tulsa, Owasso to Jenks, all across the county – the summer reading program is about one thing: Community.
How it Works
The 2012 summer reading program begins Monday, May 21 at all TCCL locations. The theme for the 2012 children’s program is “Dream Big - Read” and the tween/teen program theme is “Own the Night.” Both themes have a strong focus on nighttime, nocturnal animals and astronomy. Many libraries are hosting kickoff parties on Friday, May 19 where children and teens can sign up for the program early and enjoy fun activities and events.
To participate, children and teens, ages 0 to 18, can stop by any library and pick up a summer reading program log. The reading log is used to record the number of books read and visits made to the library throughout the summer. Children complete the program by making four visits to the library and reading eight books before July 28. This will earn them a special medal of achievement featuring Buddy Bookworm, and a coupon booklet for free entertainment and food items, and entry into a grand prize drawing. For summer readers who make four visits to the library and read 20 books, there is a special plush bat bonus prize.
Tweens and teens complete the program by reading six books throughout the summer and then turning in their reading log by July 28. By completing the program, they will earn a coupon booklet for free entertainment and food items, a multicolor LED pen, and entry into a grand prize drawing.
Community Connection
By participating in the summer reading program, families get a unique connection to their community.Children and teens form connections with library staff and locations, and parents learn about opportunities and resources available at TCCL, like the Homework Help Now! and Job Now! databases, new DVDs and materials, book groups, and much more. Families also can meet and interact with each other at more than 700 free programs and events, forming closer community ties. In a digital age, face-to-face interaction with people who live in your community is a precious commodity for children, teens and adults!
The summer reading program also gives families a fun opportunity to explore their community. In past years, families have visited multiple library locations to attend programs and make their summer reading visits. Never been to Collinsville? Attend an event at the Collinsville Library, then visit the Smithsonian Key Ingredients: America by Food exhibit, opening June 16. How about a trip to the Hardesty Regional Library? Their children’s department was recently named one of the top library locations in America for children. Libraries are a destination enjoyed by the whole family.
Community Partners
Did you know that you can go to a Tulsa Drillers game this summer just by reading? Community partners are another aspect of what makes the program special. Children and teens who complete the program earn a coupon booklet for free food and entertainment throughout Tulsa County. A few of the many fabulous coupons include entry to the Tulsa Zoo, the Oklahoma Aquarium, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum, the Tulsa State Fair, a Tulsa Drillers game and a Tulsa Shock game. Dozens of companies, businesses, foundations and organizations offer support by providing coupons, entertainment and grand prizes. They make this program a true community effort!
Performers and presenters from all over Tulsa County, Oklahoma and the nation participate. Hundreds of events for all ages are taking place in May, June and July. Families can explore events about American Indian dancing and storytelling, yoga, drawing, music, crafts, and much more. Event guides listing all programs are available at all TCCL locations and online at www.tulsalibrary.org.
Sponsors include: The Tulsa Zoo, Williams, the Tulsa Drillers, the Tulsa Shock, the Friends of the Helmerich Library, the Tulsa Library Trust, the Flint Family Foundation, Tulsa’s Channel 8, the Hille Foundation and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
For more information about TCCL’s children’s and teen summer reading programs, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library’s website, www.tulsalibrary.org.
