Bucks County Public Libraries announces 2013 Summer Reading Program, sponsored by Fred Beans Automotive Group

The Bucks County Public Library system is encouraging kids to work their skills and imaginations with its 2013 Summer Reading Program, Dig into Reading, sponsored by Fred Beans Automotive Group. The summer-long program sign-up begins this Saturday, June 22, at each of the seven branches and 11 community libraries within the county’s library system.

This year’s program hopes to build on the success of last year’s, when nearly 40,000 children of all ages participated by keeping a reading log and attending the many special activities that were offered county-wide.

“Each year, the library’s Summer Reading Program encourages children to open books and read for fun, and those who participated have had an advantage when school began again in the fall,” says Roberta Yakovich, youth services consultant for the library district. “Despite budget cutbacks, we’ve been able to provide two years of exceptional summer programs. Our families are fortunate that we have had the financial assistance of the Fred Beans Automotive Group.”

Studies have shown that children who continue to read during the summer perform better when school resumes in the fall. Additionally, studies show that reading for pleasure is one of the most powerful tools to increase reading comprehension, speed and vocabulary. Unstructured reading for pleasure of materials that children select themselves is extremely effective in promoting literacy, even when compared to direct reading instruction.

Here’s how this year’s program works: Children in preschool through 12th grade are invited to pick up a Dig into Reading reading log at their local library branch starting June 22. On it, they record the number of minutes they read each day. Then once a week they can show their reading log to the library staff when they visit to return books and check out new ones, and they will receive a small prize.

But there is more! The libraries will offer a host of fun-filled children’s programs designed to enhance their reading experience. Children can also earn tickets toward drawings for amazing prizes, including a Nintendo DS and an exciting vacation for the whole family at Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos.

Entomologist Ryan “The Bug Man” Bridge will wow kids at all 18 county libraries across the summer with his “I Dig Bugs” programs. His acclaimed “low tech” presentations incorporate real, live insects, arthropods and other related critters to illustrate the science and the artistry of these creatures, which can be beneficial or harmful to humankind. Kids get to ask lots of questions and pet some bugs!

In addition, community libraries host a special treat this summer when Rizzo’s Reptile Discovery comes to each of their locations to entertain the young people with wildlife of the reptilian kind. Dominic Rizzo shares his passion with the kids and gives them an up-close-and-personal glimpse into the lives of lizards, snakes, frogs and more.

For a full listing with descriptions, days and times of the library’s summer programs – including the Ice Cream Social and grand prize drawing on August 27, 6:30-8:00pm – please visit the website at www.buckslib.org.

The 2013 Summer Reading Program at the 18 Bucks County libraries is made possible by a $50,000 donation from Fred Beans Automotive Group via the EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit), a Pennsylvania program that encourages local businesses to invest in the education of the community’s young people. This is the second year of a $100,000 Beans pledge to the library system.