Contributed by Maegen Wilson, Assistant Director, Wilson County Public Library
Wilson County Public Library has been busy preparing for this year’s Summer Reading Program.
The goals of Summer Reading are:
- To encourage and motivate children and families to read for pleasure
- To help school age children maintain their reading skills while on school holiday
- To introduce children and their families to the resources of their public library
- To attract new customers to the library
Reading through the summer helps children return to school without decreased reading ability (commonly known as the “summer slump” or “summer slide”). Pleasure reading encourages lifelong learning and keeps reading skills sharp.
Programs for children will be offered at all six locations and for teens at the Wilson Main Library, Lucama NC, and Elm City NC.
The theme for children is “On Your Mark, Get Set…READ!” Events for children at the Main Library will kick off June 11, 2016, at 3pm, with a “Bike Parade” in the BB&T parking lot. (Registration is required.)
“Circus Shenanigans”, thanks to a donation in the memory of Paul McRae Kushner, will highlight circus performance skills on June 13, 2016, at 7pm.
On the evening of June 20, 2016, at 7pm, local service, support, and therapy dogs will take part in “Pet Power.”
Children are invited to get out and move by participating in the “CXP-45 Fitness Explosion” on June 27, 2016, at 7pm.
A “Library Ninjas” story time will be held on July 5, 2016, at 7pm. Muddy the Mudcat will be our featured guest at the Main Library on July 11, 2016, at 7pm.
Finally, on July 18, 2016, at 7pm, the North Carolina Zoo will present “Zoo Olympics.” Prior to most evening children’s events, the Tobs and their mascot, Slugger, will offer chances to win game tickets & other prizes (must be present to win.)
At the branches, programs include “Great Races”, “Nutrition,” “Music and Movement”, “Olympics”, “Ninjas” and a “Finale”. Children’s programs will be held at:
- Black Creek on Mondays (3pm)
- Elm City on Tuesdays (3pm)
- Lucama on Tuesdays (4pm)
- East on Wednesdays (3pm)
- Stantonsburg on Thursdays (3pm)
The East branch programs will be held at the American Legion building at 700 New Bern Street, Wilson NC.
The theme for the teens’ Summer Reading Program is: “Get in the Game…READ!” Teen programs include: “Teen Tie Dye Day”, “Teen Movie Night”, “MINUTE to WIN it!”, “Vinyl Ventures,” and “Got Game!” Teen Programs are scheduled at:
- Wilson Main Library on Tuesdays (6pm)
- Lucama Library on Thursdays (4pm)
- Elm City Library on Thursdays (4pm)
Lapsit programs will continue throughout the summer. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, children from birth through two years of age, are invited to the programs offered at 9:30am. Preschool age programs follow at 10am.
The Wilson County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is made possible by the generous help of the Friends of the Wilson County Public Library. All of these programs are free and open to the public. Contact a local branch to register!
