Chelan Library Prepares for Summer Reading Program

Submitted by Christina-Marie Wright, Freelance Writer for Chelan Public Library

The Summer Reading Program begins at the Chelan Library on Thursday, June 12^th, and librarians, volunteers, parents and children can hardly wait! This year’s theme, “Catch the Reading Bug,” seems fitting, as the building excitement appears to be contagious.

Librarians Gloria Groves and Barbara Soltess have been working hard to make sure this year’s program is incredibly fun and entertaining by collecting prizes, scheduling events and preparing materials in anticipation of a huge turnout for the program. “Our children’s programs have really grown in the last year,” says Groves. “We continue to see increasing attendance for all of our events, from our twice-weekly story time to our new teen poetry program, Pop ‘n’ Poetry. I look forward to seeing what our participation in the Summer Reading Program will be this year.”

Students at Morgan Owings Elementary will see a presentation on the Summer Reading Program on June 12^th – the last day of school – and are encouraged to visit the library following the release of school to sign up for the program. “Kids can sign up at any time throughout the summer,” says Groves, “but we encourage them to sign up early in order to earn more prizes.”

For every two hours of reading completed, students get to choose a small prize from a variety of toys and games, donated by Chelan Friends of the Library.

Dedicated readers earn their way into the weekly drawings for larger prizes, which will be awarded following the library’s weekly Summer Reading Program event. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing, but kids won’t want to miss the exciting activities planned! (See schedule below.) Weekly drawing prizes up for grabs include:

• 8 day-passes from Slide Waters Lake Chelan Water Park

• 20 regular 6” sandwich meals from Lakeside Subway

• 40 Webkinz from Swim World

• 4 gift certificates to create your own ceramic masterpiece from All Fired Up

• A gift certificate for lunch for 2 from Campbell’s Resort

• A variety of prizes, totaling $50 in value, from Lakeshore Variety

Readers who complete ten hours of reading over the course of the summer will earn the “Finisher” prize – a ten-inch pizza from Local Myth Pizza.

On August 20^th, the library will host an “End of Program Party” for all participants at 3:00 p.m. During the party, a Grand Prize Drawing will be held. Again, winners must be present at the time of the drawing. This year’s Grand Prizes include:

• 2 round-trip tickets to Stehekin on the Lady of the Lake from Lake Chelan Boat Company

• An iPod from Radio Shack

• A bicycle from Wal*Mart

With so many great events and prizes to enjoy, students are sure to “Catch the Bug” this summer! For more information on the Summer Reading Program or to get a copy of the calendar of summer events, contact the library at 682-5131 or by email at .

Chelan Library’s

Summer Reading Program

Events Calendar

• June 18^th, 3:00 p.m. – Book-It Theatre – a small troupe acts out a favorite children's story

• June 24^th, 3:00 p.m. – Karen Murray’s “Spinning” - Murray uses her spinning wheel to spin spider tales

• July 2^nd, 3:00 p.m. – Buggy Magic! - magic, comedy, entertainment and hissing cockroaches

• July 9^th, 3:00 p.m. – Puppet Show

• July 16^th, 10:00 a.m. – Steve Taylor; magician, ventriloquist and entertainer

• July 23^rd, 3:00 p.m. – Insect Scavenger Hunt

• July 30^th, 3:00 p.m. – Deb McVay – stories in song, sign, Spanish and English

• Aug. 6^th, 3:00 p.m. – Puppet Show

• Aug. 13^th, 3:00 p.m. – Insects and Sign Language

• Aug. 20^th, 3:00 p.m. – End of Program Party!