Sean C Morgan
Libraries rock!
That theme is driving the content of this year’s Sweet Home Public Library annual Summer Reading Program.
Children can sign up beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, June 18, at the library.
The programs begin at 10 a.m. on June 20, with a kickoff performance by the band The Alphabeticians, playing rock ’n’ roll for families, with songs about books, childhood games, lots of animals and the alphabet to make parents and kids laugh and think.
Most of the library’s programming features music or dance, said Director Rose Peda.
One exception still involves rocks. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History of Oregon State University will provide a session on Oregon Rocks on July 11. It will include hands-on activities.
The two programs are part of the preschool through sixth-grade sessions, which will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays from June 20 to Aug. 29 at the Boys and Girls Club, 890 18th Ave. Club membership is not required to attend.
Peda said the library is holding the presentations there to allow children at the club to participate.
Programs for toddlers are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Fridays from June 22 to July 27, and a tween and teen program is set for 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays from June 21 to July 26, all at the library.
In addition to educational and entertainment programming, the program includes reading challenges. When students sign up, they receive their challenge books, which consist of various reading tasks. Upon completion of reading tasks, children win awards.
As well as reading, the challenges will feature several different kinds of tasks, Peda said. Children will be asked questions about specific topics and will need to explore library materials to find the answers and win prizes.
For example, “How could a deaf composer compose music?” Peda said.
The goal is to “foster a love of reading, involve parents and family members in the library summer reading experience and improve children’s access to library materials, books and activities, which will encourage them to become lifelong library users,” Peda said.
Children receive free library cards when they sign up for the program, Peda said. The library is continuing to fill the little libraries located at area schools and the Boys and Girls Club. Children are welcome to take books and swap books at the little libraries.
The library has purchased more than 200 books for the little libraries so far this year, Peda said. According to a study by McGill Frazen, “more access to books results in more reading.”
The Summer Reading Program is funded by grants from Spirit Mountain Casino, $2,500; the State Library’s Ready to Read Grant, $1,000; and Linn County Cultural Coalition, $1,000. The Friends of the Library provide funding and volunteer hours.
“We’re doing programming all year long,” Peda said, and evening events for the public will continue. Many of the performers are coordinated with Albany Public Library to help reduce costs.
On Aug. 8, a Didgeridoo Down Under variety show featuring Australian music, culture and comedy will be the feature for the pre-school through sixth grade session. The group will also perform for the public at 6 p.m. in the library.
On Aug. 7, New York artist Michael Albert will give a presentation with hands-on instruction.
Friday ukulele sessions for adults continues through the summer at 1 p.m., Peda said. Library staff is working on a regular session for children.
For more information, call the library at (541) 367-5007.