Summer reading

    Each summer, the library engages children between the ages of Toddlers to Teens with our annual summer Reading Program, Catch the Reading Bug – a theme based program designed to expose children to the science of entomology — sponsored in part by the Maine State Library that provides resource materials and a theme.  Other supporters include Pizza Hut, and TDBanknorth that extends participants a $10 certificate for their savings account for reading 10 books. There are others throughout the state that we collaborate with for reading incentives and this Reading Program is a State and National program brought to our community at no cost. It is a community-wide effort as well, since guest readers and speakers willing to share their expertise.
    On average, each summer children read over 1,000 books from our library and there are 1,171 active child library cards this summer. In June alone, children checked out 1,321 books. This year, approximately 70 children attend the events each week scheduled throughout the summer. Patrons keep track of their reading (how many pages or books) and receive encouragement, individual reading recommendations, and the opportunity to maintain their reading skills over the summer while exposed to the finest children’s literature. But more than this, the participants are immersing themselves in literacy and meeting new friends, establishing positive role models in our community and learning new things from various local talent. American Sign Language is also taught during the Summer Reading Program by one of our staff persons fluent in ASL.
    Thus far, participants have met a local bee keeper and City Manager Tom Stevens provided beekeeping materials for a display, other guests educated the children about mosquitoes, ticks and Lyme disease. The third guest speaker brought a tarantula (yes, you are reading that right) and the children were enthralled (the grown ups, not so much).
    There is still time to participate and sign your child up by calling the library and speaking with Children’s Librarian Sue McPherson. More presenters are scheduled from the University of Maine. Toddlers meet from 10 to 10:45 a.m. each Wednesday, ages 5 and up at 1:30 p.m., and the Teens are engaged in a related program called, “Acting Before the Camera” to learn how to produce a seven-minute video.
    For more information about these and other programs happening during the summer, please call 764-2571 or e-mail pimelibrarian@gmail.com or drop in.
    Sonja Plummer-Morgan is librarian at Presque Isle’s Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library.