Forsyth County Public Library Kicks Off Annual Summer Reading Program

As the school year draws to a close, excitement about the Forsyth County Public Library’s annual summer reading program is growing. Children and their families will "Dig into Reading" this summer, while tweens and teens will experience "Groundbreaking Reads." Adults will get a chance to be a part of the fun as well, with a special program geared just for them.

Countless studies have shown that reading during school vacation helps maintain and even improve reading skills. The summer reading program is a powerful tool that parents can use to help ensure their children read during the summer months, which will also help prevent an academic summer slip.

Summer reading registration will begin on Friday, May 24 for children, teens, and adults. Patrons may simply visit the library’s website to register or may visit any of the three library branches. "We are excited about the 2013 Summer Reading Program and we look forward to encouraging our patrons to read over the summer" said Laura Bradley, Program Manager.

Children and teens will be encouraged to set a reading goal for the summer when they register for the programs. They may record their progress throughout the summer online or by using a free reading log they will receive at registration. Children and teens will have until Saturday, August 24 to meet their reading goals and to claim their rewards. Each child or teen who meets his or her summer reading goal will receive a free paperback book, graciously donated by the Forsyth County Public Library Friends & Advocates.

Adults who register for summer reading will automatically be entered to win a Sony eReader. The winner will be drawn on Saturday, August 24. In addition to the incentive program, adults will enjoy a special gardening series, provided by Forsyth County Master Gardeners and The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. In keeping with this summer’s "digging" theme, programs will highlight vegetable gardening, garden irrigation and rainwater harvesting, food preservation, and more.

The Forsyth County Public Library will also offer a wide variety of programs for children, families, and teens. The Summer Showcase programs will feature magicians, puppeteers, storytellers, musicians, and more. These programs are open to all ages. The series will kick off on Saturday, June 1 with music programs at each library branch. Chris Rumble will present "Get Ready to Read!" at the Cumming Library. He will repeat the show later that day at the Hampton Park Library. The Big Kid Band will present "Dig Into Songs" at the Sharon Forks Library as well. The Summer Showcase will feature performers all summer long to keep the summer reading excitement going.

In addition to hosting special performers, the Forsyth County Public Library will also offer weekly storytime programs throughout the summer. "Dynamic Diggers" programs will be geared toward 2-6 year olds and will feature short stories, songs, puppet skits and movement. For older children, "Excellent Explorers" will delve into longer books and will feature word games as well as music, puppet skits, and movement. In addition to storytime programs, the library will offer a drop-in craft week in July as well as Puppet Pizzazz, a program featuring a variety of puppet shows.

The library will also offer a variety of programs for tweens and teens. Teens will have the opportunity to learn all about comics and caricatures, learn magic tricks and juggling, and will even get some hands-on experience with percussion instruments. FCPL Teen Cinema will be held at the Hampton Park Library and will feature special activities that relate to popular movies, both of which will be shown at the library. In addition to tracking their summer reading, teens will be encouraged to attend these special programs geared especially toward them.

The Forsyth County Public Library looks forward to an exciting summer filled with fun for all ages. Additional information about the summer reading program may be found at the library’s website: www.forsythpl.org.