The 2012 Summer Reading Program launched today at Virginia Beach Public Library. More than 1,000 people signed up for the program in the first few hours of registration. New this year: Participants can register and manage their reading logs online at www.VBgov.com/SRP. Computers with Internet access are available at all libraries for those who don’t have access at home.
Reading Rewards
To participate in the program, children and teens track reading time, adults track book titles. Children and teens are eligible for reading rewards in 15-hour increments (up to 45 hours). Adults are eligible after five books (up to 15 books). All reading must be logged and all rewards claimed from the library by 5 p.m. Aug. 11.
At the end of the program, the library will hold a drawing for grand prizes including Kindles for adults and teens, iPod Nanos for children ages 6 to 12, and skill-building toys for children under 6.
As part of the fun and learning, the library offers free events and activities for all ages at most locations, all summer long.
Stopping “Summer Slide”
While the children and teens have fun reading their favorite books this summer, they are also combating “summer slide.” Victoria Strickland-Cordial, youth and family services manager for Virginia Beach Public Library, says, “Library reading programs help prevent learning loss that can occur during summer months while children are out of the classroom. Studies have shown that reading for as little as 20 minutes a day can make a big difference in a child’s reading ability.”
Funded by the Friends
The Friends of the Virginia Beach Public Library and the Virginia Beach Library Foundation fully fund the summer reading program, including new books as reading rewards for children and teens, activities for all ages and the grand prizes. Several local businesses contribute incentives.
About Virginia Beach Public Library
A community anchor for more than 50 years, Virginia Beach Public Library includes a central library, eight area libraries, a law library and a bookmobile. Services include workforce development and job-search support, small business resources, computer and technology classes, early childhood literacy classes and local history archives. In addition to books in a variety of formats (print, audio and downloadable), the library provides online research tools accessible from home or work, as well as movies, music and a variety of specialty collections. In fiscal year 2010-11, the library saw 1.9 million people through its doors and checked out more than 3.3 million items. Visit www.VBgov.com/libraries for more information.
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