Library Begins Outreach for Summer Reading Program

Local children may be counting the days until the end of the school year, but there’s one more thing they can count on: a visit from a local librarian. The Forsyth County Public Library Youth Services staff is conducting an outreach campaign to encourage students to continue reading for fun over the summer.

Lorraine Lane, Information Specialist – Youth Services, leads an outreach
event at Chattahoochee Elementary in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

“Our Youth Services team strives to visit local schools, preschools, and even day care centers throughout the year, but the weeks leading up to the launch of our Summer Reading Program are especially important,” says Laura Bradley, Program Manager. “Our staff goes into classrooms and assembly events with several storytime activities to help kids find joy in reading, even over the summer when they’re tempted to let their literacy skills get rusty.”

The Library and its Summer Reading sponsor, FCPL Friends and Advocates, reward children and teens who set and reach a summer reading goal with a free book. All registered Summer Reading participants will also be entered in raffle drawing for several grand prizes.

Readers up to grade 5 will be entered to win a Family Fun Pack, graciously donated from Stars & Strikes. Readers in grades 6 to 12 will be entered to win a gift card and basket from AMC Theatres. Adult readers will be entered to win an Apple iPad mini.

To earn a free book, or win a raffle drawing, patrons must be registered for the Library’s Summer Reading Program. Registration opens on the last day of school, Friday, May 27, and patrons can register online or in-person at any Forsyth County Public Library branch through July 31.

Families should also mark their calendars for the Summer Reading Kick-Off Carnivals, says Bradley.

“The Carnivals are among our most popular events all year. Based on patron feedback, this summer the Post Road and Sharon Forks Libraries will combine their events at the Forsyth Conference Center, where there is ample parking and sidewalks on the surrounding streets for families that prefer to walk.”

The combined Summer Reading Kick-off Carnival will be held on Tuesday, May 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd. Participants can register for the Summer Reading Program, play carnival games, and watch balloon artists twist balloons into wild animals and zany objects. Lew-E the Clown will also give two performances of “READ-O-LYMPICS,” an exciting magic show and storytime for children of all ages.

The Cumming Library will host a Carnival for its patrons on Wednesday, June 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Hampton Park Library will host its Summer Reading Kick-off Carnival on Thursday, June 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Both events will include carnival games, balloon artists, and two performances from entertainer Todd Key. His show, “Cirque du Todd: The Flying Debris Extravaganza Juggle-Palooza,” combines juggling, circus skills, magic, and just the right mix of comedy and reading encouragement for children of all ages.

“Our summer reading theme this year is On Your Mark, Get Set...READ!, so we’ll be encouraging families to make sports and physical fitness part of their summer routine,” adds Bradley.

In addition to providing books, magazines, and digital materials on health and wellness, the Library will offer programs for teens and adults on cooking and eating healthfully on a budget. The full slate of summer programming for children, teens, and adults will be announced shortly.

Patrons are encouraged to check the Library’s online event calendar at www.forsythpl.org to view programs by age group or by location. Printed Summer Program Guides will also be available at each library branch starting May 15.