Library Aims To Inspire City Reading

By Shereen Oca
Staff Writer

“Catch the Reading Bug” is the theme for summer programs and events coordinated by the Long Beach Public Library. Organizers say they hope that theme is infectious.

With programs for preschoolers, elementary school children, teenagers and adults, the library will have something of interest for readers of all ages and predilections this summer.

More than 6,000 community members enrolled in reading clubs last year, which also marked the inception of the adult summer reading program. It was tested out at several branches, and this year, it made its way into all 12 of them.

“The goal is to get families reading together,” said Susan Jones, department librarian of automated services. “That’s why we expanded the program.”

The basic format for each program is as follows: sign up; log in and comment on books read; receive weekly prizes and an entry into a grand prize drawing.

The programs are tailored to each age group, and each neighborhood library caters to the community, organizers said.

For example, the teen grand prize package will include items such as a digital camera or an iPod.

Suzanne McMillan, manager of Youth Services at the public library, said she loves to encourage children to explore genres and find out for themselves what they like to read.

“Summer is a chance for kids to expand their reading,” she said. “There’s so much required reading. Research has shown some of the kids who don’t read (in the summer) regress.”

McMillan also said she recommends readers to keep starting books until they find one they like, adding “there’s one for everybody.”

Children who participate in the preschool and elementary school reading club will receive a book bag, bookmark, crayons and a reading log upon entry. Then upon completion of weekly reading, they can take home toys, pencils, squishy toy bugs and more from the treasure chest. Additionally, five weeks or 25 days of reading will earn them an entry into the Grand Prize Backpack drawing.

In the past, the teen summer reading club has been a modified version of the children’s program, said MacMillan. This year, librarians in the Teen Services department have designed a new “Metamorphosis” program with adolescents in mind, she added. It will take place at the Main, North, Bret Harte and Mark Twain branches.

Popular teenage interests such as skateboarding, anime, indie films and jewelry making will be the focus of weekly programs. There even will be an “Iron Chef” style food competition.

In general, each library will host a special weekly program in addition to ongoing ones such as story and craft times. They will take place at the same time on the same day each week. A complete listing of weekly activities at individual branches can be found at www.lbpl.org.

“It’s one of those traditional library services that demand hasn’t diminished over the years,” MacMillan said of the summer program.

Summer reading clubs will begin on June 16, with registration starting June 14.

For details, call 570-7500.