Summer Reading 2008
Catch the Reading Bug! – The library’s annual Summer Reading program helps young children get ready to read and encourages older kids to continue reading while they are taking a break from school. This year, kids will be learning about bugs, reading about bugs, looking at real bugs, making bugs and maybe even acting like bugs! There are some new components to the program this year and a few changes to our usual practices. We will be offering a program for outside groups such as child-care centers and a special program for infants called Baby Bugs, and we will not be counting books read by the children, just the number of minutes children read.
Summer Reading PSAs from CLSP
As usual, patrons at each library and bookmobile stop will enjoy activities led by our staff members and entertainment from outside storytellers and performers, which is partially funded through a donation from the Friends of the Columbia Public Library. Look through the summer (June, July & August) calendar for programs related to our summer reading theme.
Baby Bugs
To complete the program, parents read to their children regularly and complete a few activities with them such as “sing a song.” >Parents will get a simple calendar and 30 stickers for marking their reading progress along with a library magnet for posting it on the refrigerator. Families that complete the program will receive a free board book (while supplies last) thanks to a $1,000 donation from the Daniel Boone Regional Library Foundation.
Got a good memory?
Play our Summer Reading
memory game.
Catch the Reading Bug
Kids will sign up for the program on strips of paper that will later become part of a giant caterpillar in each library. Children will keep track of how much time they spend reading and what activities they do. Kids who reach the mid-point of the reading record will receive a small prize, and there is a final prize for completing the 20 hours of reading and 10 activities (while supplies last).
Metamorphosis: Teen Reading Challenge
To complete this program, teens must read for 20 hours, do three book reviews, complete two activities and attend a program or bring a friend to the library. Teens will receive a mood magnet when they sign up, and when they complete everything, they will receive a stretchy sleeve for holding electronic devices like phones or MP3 players. We will also enter teens in a drawing for MP3 players and flash drives.
Group Summer Reading
Any small group like an after-school group, a neighborhood, Adventure Club, a child-care, etc. can sign up together. To participate, teachers, child-care providers or other group leaders can complete a group reading record. The wide variety of group activities listed on the record will allow groups to tailor their reading activities to meet their needs. Possible activities your group can do include “read a book about an insect or arachnid” and “read to your group for 10 minutes each day for at least one week.” Groups who complete eight activities will get an embroidered patch and a library pencil for each child. We hope this program helps extend the reach of Summer Reading out into the community, so that even kids who may never come to the library will be encouraged to read over the summer. The library has also compiled a booklet of activities for groups that you can view or print.
Katydid, MO Dept. of Conservation photo
Bug’s-Eye View Photo Contest
Pick up entry forms:
Beginning Monday, June 23
Enter photos:
Monday, July 21-Saturday, July 26
Photo Contest Guidelines and Entry Form
Calling shutterbugs of all ages! This year's photo contest is open to kids and adults. Simply take pictures of nature or everyday items from a bug’s-eye view and turn them in July 21-26. Packets with contest rules and photography resources will be available at your library or online at www.dbrl.org starting June 23. Entries will be displayed in each facility, and winning entries will be posted on the library web site. For all ages, kids and adults.
Buggy Photo Opportunities
Columbia Public Library: Monday, June 23-Sunday, June 29
Callaway County Public Library, Fulton: Monday, July 7-Saturday, July 12
SoBoCo Public Library, Ashland: Monday, July 21-Saturday, July 26
If you were a bug, what would you be? We'll have props for you to use to transform yourself into a variety of crazy insects. Stop by the library with cameras in hand for this fantastic photo opportunity. This activity will travel to each of our libraries for a week at a time.
Summer Reading at Your School
This summer you and your kids can also get books and enjoy Summer Reading activities at several elementary school libraries. In Columbia, families from any CPS school are welcome to stop by the special open hours at Mill Creek or Blue Ridge Elementary Schools.
Special open hours May 12 - August 5, 4-6 p.m.:
Mill Creek Elementary, open every Monday
Blue Ridge Elementary, open every Tuesday
And in Boone County, we’re making a special effort to make Summer Reading more accessible to Hallsville and Sturgeon students. These students will be able to sign up for Summer Reading and have books delivered to their home through the mail using our Books by Snail pilot project. Also, elementary school libraries in both towns will have special open hours as follows:
Hallsville Elem. Library, open Tuesdays in June, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sturgeon Elem. Library, open Thursdays in June, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
These school and county outreach programs are made possible through a grant the library has received from the Missouri State Library through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant will also fund Summer Reading outreach to students from Centro Latino in Columbia.