Many area libraries have taken on the state's reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug,” and have set up several activities to encourage our local children to read through the summer.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Children dance to music played by Cathy McGrath at the Friends Meeting House in Poplar Ridge Tuesday morning. McGrath presented a program, “Singing Bees and Jumping Beings,” which incorporated songs about bugs that tied in with bug-themed children's books.
Hazard Library in Poplar Ridge was one of the first to start the reading initiative by hosting a bug-themed program Tuesday. And even local elementary schools are getting involved.
The goal is to keep children's minds active, which is believed to be the best way for students to maintain what they have learned thus far.
Below are several ways to keep children engaged in books in the next couple of months. So stop by a local library and pick up a book or two.
Hazard Library
The Hazard Library kicked off its summer reading program at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Folk singer Cathy McGrath presented “Singing Bees and Jumping Beings,” and children were able to sign up and set a summer reading goal. All children that reach their goal will receive a coupon for a free book at the library's August book sale. Also, middle and high school students will be eligible to win a MP3 player.
The library will continue its events at 10:30 a.m. each Thursday this month, at the Friends Meeting House, 1868 Poplar Ridge Road, in Poplar Ridge. July 10, a concert will be held with Hill Brothers; July 17, tales of the wild west will be recreated by musician Brian Coughlin; July 24, a trip around the world will be offered by Dan Duggan, and July 31, storysinger Chris Holder will entertain.
All programs are free and open to the public. To learn more, call the library at 364-7975.
Stewart B. Lang Memorial Library
Cato's library will also “Catch The Reading Bug” with activities for two age groups: Inch Worms (birth to kindergarten) and Book Worms (first through sixth graders). Inch Worms will meet at 10 a.m. each Tuesday, and Book Worms will meet at 10 a.m. each Thursday (unless otherwise stated below).
Inch Worms' plans include: July 8, Grasshoppers; July 15, Ladybugs; July 22, Bees, and July 29, Butterflies. Plans for the older Book Worms include: July 10, Grasshoppers; 6:30 p.m. July 17, Bug hunt (walking on Cato trail); July 24, Ladybugs (starting at 6:30 p.m. a family bug movie night will be held, and July 31, family bug movie morning.
The library is located at 2577 E. Main St., Cato. To learn more about the upcoming programs, call 626-2101.
Seymour Library
Seymour Library will host a teen a children's reading program through the summer.
The teen reading program, “Metamorphosis @ Your Library,” offers weekly “Teen Tuesday @ 2” programs in July and a drawing for an iPod at the end of the summer. Teens can participate by asking about the reading program at the main desk or Children's Room desk, where they will receive a reading log and a bag with bookmarks, magnets and other items. The first Teen Tuesday program will be held at 2 p.m. July 8, is “Tales for Teens,” a look at new books and popular books from the past. Prizes including T-shirts, water bottles and cell phone charms, which will be given out during each Teen Tuesday event. The program is only for students entering sixth-grade in the fall through those entering their senior year in high school. The teen reading program is funded by a grant from the Everett Foundation.
The children's summer reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug,” begins with the annual kick-off party from 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, July 8, at the library. The party features live music by Bob Lyna, a visit by Abner Doubleday, games, prizes and refreshments.
The library also encourages children to read over the summer by offering prizes in a drawing at the end of the summer. Children who turn in a reading log by Aug. 29 are eligible to win a variety of prizes, including new bikes donated by Five Star Bank in Auburn.
The Seymour Library is located at 176-178 Genesee St., Auburn. For more information, visit the library's Web site at www.seymourlibrary.org or call 252-2571.
Aurora Free Library
The “Catch the Reading Bug” Summer Reading Program begins Tuesday, July 8 and will continue through the Tuesdays in July from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Aurora Free Library. Author and illustrator David Kirk will visit the library next Tuesday and share some drawings. On July 15, Wells College Professor Tom Vawter will bring insects to the library, and on July 22, art teacher Jacqueline Webster will provide a fun art project. On July 29, the program will conclude with an ending Buggy Celebration. Each Tuesday morning's event will feature stories, snacks and crafts.
Again children will gather to talk about a dragon with two heads, as young writers compose Chapter Three of “The Legend of Lionel and Lester: The Two-Headed Lake Dragon” under the direction of Jacci Farlow. The session will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, and not only will children develop and write new adventures of this pair, they will also contribute illustrations for the next chapter..
The library is located at 370 Main St. in Aurora. To learn more about the library's programs, call 364-8074.
Elbridge Free Library
Elbridge Free Library will offer a free summer reading program sponsored by the Onondaga County Public Library. Prizes, activities and special events will take place through Aug. 20, at the library, 243 E. Main St., Elbridge.
Featured events include: July 9, Moreland the Magician; July 16, Matt Stevens, WSTM Book Breaks; July 23, Zoo to You; July 30, Catch the Nature Bug (for ages 8-13; pre-registration required); Aug. 6, Bingo at the library; Aug. 13, Yoga for Kids (all ages), and Aug. 20, Huggles the Clown.
For more details, contact the library at 689-7111.
Port Byron Library
The Port Byron Library's reading program will begin the first week in August. Activities will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 4 through the 8, at the library, 12 Mentz Drive in Port Byron. Thursday, Aug. 7, Diane Edgecomb will perform in a special performance fitting with the library's reading theme.
The library will also hold a number of safety classes presented by the American Red Cross. To learn more, call the library at 776-5694.
Powers Library
Powers Library's summer reading program will be held four Fridays in July and August at the library, 29 Church St., Moravia. Call the library at 497-1955 for specific details.
Local elementary schools
Genesee Elementary School has established a summer book lending program in the school office for students entering third, fourth and fifth grades. It is open from 10 to 11 a.m. every weekday, in the school's office, 244 Genesee St., Auburn.
Students will be allowed to keep one of the books at the end of the summer, and every student who reads five books will be invited to a pizza party in September with Genesee Elementary Principal Ronald Gorney.
School principals were even challenged this summer to promote reading in creative ways on their school signs. Herman Avenue, despite not holding summer school this year, will run a new poem each week to promote summer reading.
This week the sign read:
“With only a book
“And a quiet place
“You can fight Captain Hook
“Or explore outer space”
The goal is to keep children's minds active, which is believed to be the best way for students to maintain what they have learned thus far.
Below are several ways to keep children engaged in books in the next couple of months. So stop by a local library and pick up a book or two.
Hazard Library
The Hazard Library kicked off its summer reading program at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Folk singer Cathy McGrath presented “Singing Bees and Jumping Beings,” and children were able to sign up and set a summer reading goal. All children that reach their goal will receive a coupon for a free book at the library's August book sale. Also, middle and high school students will be eligible to win a MP3 player.
The library will continue its events at 10:30 a.m. each Thursday this month, at the Friends Meeting House, 1868 Poplar Ridge Road, in Poplar Ridge. July 10, a concert will be held with Hill Brothers; July 17, tales of the wild west will be recreated by musician Brian Coughlin; July 24, a trip around the world will be offered by Dan Duggan, and July 31, storysinger Chris Holder will entertain.
All programs are free and open to the public. To learn more, call the library at 364-7975.
Stewart B. Lang Memorial Library
Cato's library will also “Catch The Reading Bug” with activities for two age groups: Inch Worms (birth to kindergarten) and Book Worms (first through sixth graders). Inch Worms will meet at 10 a.m. each Tuesday, and Book Worms will meet at 10 a.m. each Thursday (unless otherwise stated below).
Inch Worms' plans include: July 8, Grasshoppers; July 15, Ladybugs; July 22, Bees, and July 29, Butterflies. Plans for the older Book Worms include: July 10, Grasshoppers; 6:30 p.m. July 17, Bug hunt (walking on Cato trail); July 24, Ladybugs (starting at 6:30 p.m. a family bug movie night will be held, and July 31, family bug movie morning.
The library is located at 2577 E. Main St., Cato. To learn more about the upcoming programs, call 626-2101.
Seymour Library
Seymour Library will host a teen a children's reading program through the summer.
The teen reading program, “Metamorphosis @ Your Library,” offers weekly “Teen Tuesday @ 2” programs in July and a drawing for an iPod at the end of the summer. Teens can participate by asking about the reading program at the main desk or Children's Room desk, where they will receive a reading log and a bag with bookmarks, magnets and other items. The first Teen Tuesday program will be held at 2 p.m. July 8, is “Tales for Teens,” a look at new books and popular books from the past. Prizes including T-shirts, water bottles and cell phone charms, which will be given out during each Teen Tuesday event. The program is only for students entering sixth-grade in the fall through those entering their senior year in high school. The teen reading program is funded by a grant from the Everett Foundation.
The children's summer reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug,” begins with the annual kick-off party from 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, July 8, at the library. The party features live music by Bob Lyna, a visit by Abner Doubleday, games, prizes and refreshments.
The library also encourages children to read over the summer by offering prizes in a drawing at the end of the summer. Children who turn in a reading log by Aug. 29 are eligible to win a variety of prizes, including new bikes donated by Five Star Bank in Auburn.
The Seymour Library is located at 176-178 Genesee St., Auburn. For more information, visit the library's Web site at www.seymourlibrary.org or call 252-2571.
Aurora Free Library
The “Catch the Reading Bug” Summer Reading Program begins Tuesday, July 8 and will continue through the Tuesdays in July from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Aurora Free Library. Author and illustrator David Kirk will visit the library next Tuesday and share some drawings. On July 15, Wells College Professor Tom Vawter will bring insects to the library, and on July 22, art teacher Jacqueline Webster will provide a fun art project. On July 29, the program will conclude with an ending Buggy Celebration. Each Tuesday morning's event will feature stories, snacks and crafts.
Again children will gather to talk about a dragon with two heads, as young writers compose Chapter Three of “The Legend of Lionel and Lester: The Two-Headed Lake Dragon” under the direction of Jacci Farlow. The session will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, and not only will children develop and write new adventures of this pair, they will also contribute illustrations for the next chapter..
The library is located at 370 Main St. in Aurora. To learn more about the library's programs, call 364-8074.
Elbridge Free Library
Elbridge Free Library will offer a free summer reading program sponsored by the Onondaga County Public Library. Prizes, activities and special events will take place through Aug. 20, at the library, 243 E. Main St., Elbridge.
Featured events include: July 9, Moreland the Magician; July 16, Matt Stevens, WSTM Book Breaks; July 23, Zoo to You; July 30, Catch the Nature Bug (for ages 8-13; pre-registration required); Aug. 6, Bingo at the library; Aug. 13, Yoga for Kids (all ages), and Aug. 20, Huggles the Clown.
For more details, contact the library at 689-7111.
Port Byron Library
The Port Byron Library's reading program will begin the first week in August. Activities will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 4 through the 8, at the library, 12 Mentz Drive in Port Byron. Thursday, Aug. 7, Diane Edgecomb will perform in a special performance fitting with the library's reading theme.
The library will also hold a number of safety classes presented by the American Red Cross. To learn more, call the library at 776-5694.
Powers Library
Powers Library's summer reading program will be held four Fridays in July and August at the library, 29 Church St., Moravia. Call the library at 497-1955 for specific details.
Local elementary schools
Genesee Elementary School has established a summer book lending program in the school office for students entering third, fourth and fifth grades. It is open from 10 to 11 a.m. every weekday, in the school's office, 244 Genesee St., Auburn.
Students will be allowed to keep one of the books at the end of the summer, and every student who reads five books will be invited to a pizza party in September with Genesee Elementary Principal Ronald Gorney.
School principals were even challenged this summer to promote reading in creative ways on their school signs. Herman Avenue, despite not holding summer school this year, will run a new poem each week to promote summer reading.
This week the sign read:
“With only a book
“And a quiet place
“You can fight Captain Hook
“Or explore outer space”
