Public Libraries of Lancaster County and the Bookmobile will be presenting, this year’s Summer Reading Program starting on June 4th. Readers of all ages invited to READ all things related to this year’s theme as local public libraries present “Get on Your Mark, Get Set…Read!” during their summer reading program, while ” Get in the Game…Read” is the teen slogan.   The themes for this year’s program for each of the age groups are: physical health, mind & body health, nutrition, exercise, physical sports, and exercising the brain.  The public libraries will offer special stories, events, music, and hands-on learning centered on these themes and much more!

The countywide reading program begins June 4 and will run until August 13, 2016. Youth may join anytime during this time frame.  The Summer Reading Library program supports Pennsylvania Academic Standards & PA Early Learning Standards.

The 2016 countywide Summer Reading Program is open to children and teens of all ages. Program components include 4 reading levels: Read Aloud (birth-4 years), Elementary (ages 5-9), Tween (ages 10-12) and the Teen level (ages 13-19). 

Last year 37,161youth of all ages participated in the countywide reading program, while the public libraries offered 1,348 programs for youth and their families.

Teens are invited to come to the Library and read for prizes as well as to take part in special events offered throughout the summer.   Participation of teens in the summer reading program will enhance their literacy and comprehension skills and provide great entertainment.

Educational studies have shown that the summer reading program has positive effects on students in that voluntary reading correlates with high levels of reading achievement, increased comprehension, and prevents a student’s academic ‘summer slide’.

Here are some additional benefits having students enroll in the summer reading program:
* Young children will gain self-confidence and a love for reading, books, and the library
* The groundwork will be laid for children to become lifelong readers and learners
* Entire families will have the opportunity to participate in age-appropriate summer reading events
* Completion of the program will give children a sense of accomplishment and belonging
* Parents and caregivers will gain knowledge about early literacy and learning activities at the library that they can continue at home
* The library may become a community destination for more families during the summer

Nurturing basic literacy skills is one of the goals of PA Forward | Pennsylvania Libraries, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association. Research shows that a child’s library use raises his or her fourth grade assessment scores. Help us to spark learning in all of our children this summer by supporting and participating in the Summer Library Program.

Local Sponsor Support

In addition to the Library System’s support, this year’s literacy-minded Summer Reading Program Sponsors include: Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Barnyard Kingdom at Country Barn, Bounce Kraze, Cain’s Lanes, The Castle Roller Skating; Clearview Lanes, The Comic Store, Comics and Paperbacks Plus, Dutch Wonderland A Kingdom for Kids!, Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches, Lancaster Barnstormers, Lancaster Cupcake,  Lancaster Ice Rink, Laserdome, Leisure Lanes, McDonald’s Restaurants, Refreshing Mountain Ziplines;  Rita’s, Rocky Springs Lanes, Scratch Cupcakes, Sequential Arts Too, Sky Zone Trampoline Park;  Stoudt Advisors, Strasburg Rail Road Company, and Sugar Whipped Cupcakes.

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The Columbia Public Library will be hosting officers from the Columbia Borough Police Department on Thursday, May 19, at 1:00 pm, in celebration of National Police Week 2016.  First, fourth, and fifth grade students from Our Lady of the Angels School will be participating.  The program will be held in the Locust Street Park Gazebo (weather permitting), along with the grassy area outside the library where police vehicles will be displayed.

Students will be grouped by class and rotate to three stations: 1) Story sharing area: Officers will read stories aloud to children; 2) A “Show and Tell” equipment demonstrations by Officers (radios, collapsible batons, handcuffs and Taser). Children may also have the chance to try on a police Kevlar vest; 3) Opportunity to see and sit inside police cars.

Note: None of the items will be handled by the children or put to use by officers.

The library’s collaboration with the police began in 2008 when Library Director, Lisa Greybill befriended Officer Ed Mann. Officer Mann was K9 officer at that time and offered to bring his dog Max for a summer program for the children.  This was an instant success and the program has grown over the years to feature not only the summer visit, but a visit during National Police Week, which falls the third week of May.  Many officers have told Greybill they look forward to coming to the program and interacting with the children.  Officer Mann continues to attend even though Max has since passed away.

The police will also present a program for adults. Police chief Jack Brommer has shared in the past both the history of the department and the problems and possible solutions of the heroin epidemic that is sweeping the county.  This year’s program is expected to be a continuation of the “Battle on Heroin” series, as this is a serious county-wide problem.

For more information, contact Greybill at 684-2255 or email lgreybill@columbia.lib.pa.us

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