The Summer Reading Program, sponsored by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS), is a cooperative effort among the public libraries in Rhode Island to promote reading during the summer school vacation. The program encourages reading for pleasure, the development of positive attitudes about the public library, and provides constructive activities during the long break from school. Eligible children include preschoolers whose parents read aloud to them to sixth graders.
The Summer Reading Program varies in specifics from library to library but in general incentives are provided to encourage children to read a book each week such as weekly raffles, free admission passes to 13 places like the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Providence Children’s Museum for each book read, and prizes and a party at the end. There will be approximately 240 FREE performances this year by storytellers, entertainers and educators, along with crafts, activity sheets, and many special theme-related events to encourage continued participation throughout the summer.
Children are encouraged to sign up at their local library branches beginning the week of June 22. Sign up dates may vary between libraries.
Details:
– Rhode Island:
For the complete statewide summer reading program schedule, visit Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS).
– Providence:
Providence Public Library Summer Reading Program begins June 22 with sign-ups at individual branch libraries and a complete line-up of activities and events through mid-August. For complete program descriptions and schedule of activities and events, click here for 2009 Summer Reading updates.
– Summer Reading Program Performer Schedule
This years performers include: Julie Garnett, The Great Baldini, Katie Latimer-Palmer, Mad Science, Carolyn Martino, Ronald McDonald, Keith Munslow, Napua O’Polynesia
There will be approximately 240 performances. Events are free but some libraries require pre-registration to attend events or hold them at an alternative location. Please check with individual libraries for more complete information.
– Performance Schedule for all of Rhode Island
– Performance Schedule for Providence Branches
– Summer Reading Lists 2009
Providence School Department Lists, K-8 (Click here)
– Artwork for “Be Creative @ Your Library”
David Catrow created the artwork for “Be Creative @ Your Library” this year. “Quirky,” “offbeat,” “wonderfully weird,” “flamboyant caricatures,” “eccentric characters,”– these are just a few ways reviewers describe David Catrow’s picture book illustrations. Catrow, who is also an award-winning editorial cartoonist, has collaborated with a number of award-winning children’s authors, including Kathryn Lasky, Robert D. San Souci, and Karen Beaumont over the past two decades illustrating dozens of picture books that have delighted children and their parents. He lives in Springfield, Ohio.
A sampling of books illustrated by David Catrow: I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont; She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head by Kathryn Lasky; I Wanna Iguana by Karen Orloff; Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs by Alan Katz; Plantzilla by Jerdine Nolan; The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share by Mike Reiss; and Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci.
Keith Munslow rocked the party this evening at the BPL. We might follow him in the deadhead style, since we’re not leaving RI much this summer.
This is such a smart way to keep good reading habits going all summer long. We started doing this at the Barrington Public Library when my son was 5, and we’ll be doing it again this summer! He loves to read. My daughter starts Kindergarten in the fall and she’ll be joining in the fun too (with help from mommy, of course). At the end of the summer, we hope to reward them in our own Hennessey family way – with a toy, a day at the museum, etc. Nothing too crazy…