Public Libraries of Lancaster County and the Bookmobile present this year’s Summer Reading Program “A Universe of Stories”. The 2019 countywide reading program begins June 1 and will run until August 10, 2019. It is open to young people, infants through young adult. Reading Program components include four reading levels: Read Aloud (birth-4 years), Elementary (ages 5-9), Tween (ages 10-12) and the Teen level (ages 13-19). Library events include science and engineering experiments, shows about Charles Lindbergh, 50th Anniversary of the Apollo launch, youth book clubs, live animals, mini-chef activities, music and the arts.
New this year! Summer Fitness Quest
It’s a Get Outside physical activity program to support and encourage a healthy lifestyle of youth and family members. Beginning Sat. June 1, 2019, Libraries will have Summer Fitness Quest Booklets to extend the learning, and instill young children (ages 5-9) with an appreciation for the outdoors. The program supports free opportunities for children and adults to visit and enjoy the natural beauty of Lancaster County parks, trails, and Conservancy Nature Preserves. Locations of these outdoor places are divided into 5 areas: Central, Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western.
The Summer Fitness Quest instructions are that youth visit at least five (any combination of) parks, trails, or preserve locations listed in the Booklet. While visiting they’re encouraged to try healthy yoga poses, and stay nutritionally fueled! Children, youth, and adults will benefit with a healthy “nature prescription” of being outdoors and moving around!
Partners in the program include Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Giant Food Stores, Lancaster County Conservation District, Lancaster County Conservancy, and Lancaster Recreation Commission.
The Summer Reading Program supports Pennsylvania Academic Standards & PA Early Learning Standards. Educational studies have shown that a public library’s 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’.
For more information, call your local public library or visit our website,
http://lancasterlibraries.org/library-services/youth/summer-reading-program/
All programs are free of charge.
In 2018, 25,999 youth of all ages participated in the countywide reading program. 15,467 youth completed the program. 42,431 children and parents attended the 1,736 offered summer learning events. 1,849 new library cards were issued to youth aged 5-19.
2019 Summer Entertainment & Educational Events at Local Public Libraries
Rocking Reptiles with Jesse Rothacker – an interactive animal show featuring Jesse Rothacker and his lovable lizards, turtles, alligators, and snakes. School-age children and grownups at this show will explore the amazing and mysterious universe of reptiles, including opportunities to volunteer in the show, touch real animal artifacts, and win cool prizes. Their armor, invisibility and legless locomotion can make reptiles seem a lot like extra-terrestrials. Come to the show and discover how these curious creatures have a very important mission here on planet Earth! (First program is June 2)
CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health – Hank the Health Hero is a champion of healthy choices who inspires Lancaster children to adopt healthy habits. Hank the Health Hero will present two different programs: Story Time with Hank – Food! and Hank’s Sense-sational Story Time! (First program is June 4)
Phredd- Ukulele One Man Band – Phredd’s performance includes interaction, singing, hand-motions, and creative play that inspire imagination, creativity and positive encouragement. Enjoy ukulele strumming, harmonica wailing, suitcase drum kicking, quirky singer-songwriter of unmitigated joy performing original tunes about pirates, electric tricycles, monkeys and more. (First program starts June 4)
Neill Hartley, presents “The Spirit of Lindbergh” – Neill Hartley is Charles Lindbergh in this one-man show about a thrilling adventure based on Mr. Lindbergh’s historic 1927 flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Witness “Lucky Lindy” planning his trip, navigating in the cockpit and finally arriving in Paris, France. Experience firsthand the incredible journey that riveted the world and transformed aviation! (First program is June 13)
Pout Pout Fish Costume Character Visits Lancaster County public libraries will welcome “Pout Pout Fish” popular storybook character from picture books by author Deborah Diesen and illustrator, Dan Hanna. (First program is June 15)
That Fabulous Franklin – First Stages presents a delightful program full of wit and wisdom of Ben Franklin, an American icon. Two actors recreate important moments in Ben’s story. They also bring to life some of the characters that Ben created in his writings, like Poor Richard Saunders and Silence Dogood. There is great fun for audiences of all ages in this sparkling program. (First program is June 17)
Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation – Enjoy and explore any of these programs at one or more of the local libraries: Lunar Lunacy (First program starts June 18); 13 Moons on a Turtle’s Back (First program starts June 20); There’s No Place Like Space (First program starts June 26); Creating Constellations (First program starts July 2); Planet Power (First program starts July 3); Space on Earth (First program starts July 9); Let’s take the Moon for a Walk (First program starts July 16); Programs run from June 18 through August 6.
North Museum’s Mission to the Moon – Join the North Museum of Nature and Science and get ready for some lunar explorations. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the historic mission that landed the first astronauts on the moon through hands-on experiences. Explore the moon’s surface in preparation to designing a lunar lander! (First program is June 24)
The PRINCESS of Dutch Wonderland Hear Ye, Hear Ye! We are extending an invitation to all Princesses, Princes, Lords and Ladies to attend a royal reading story times! (Ages 3+) (First event is July 9)
Local Sponsor Support
In addition to the Library System’s support, this year’s literacy-minded Summer Reading Program Sponsors include: Auntie Anne’s Inc., Barnyard Kingdom at Country Barn, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Café; Bounce Kraze, Cain’s Lanes, The Castle Roller Skating, Clearview Lanes, The Comic Store, Comics and Paperbacks Plus, Dutch Wonderland ~ Family Entertainment Park, Isaac’s Restaurants, Lancaster Barnstormers, Lancaster Cupcake, Lancaster Ice Rink, Laserdome, Leisure Bowling & Golf Center, Magic and Wonder Show, M&T Bank, , McDonald’s Restaurants, Refreshing Mountain Ziplines, Rita’s Ices, Rocky Spring Entertainment Center, Scratch Bakes, Sequential Arts Too, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Strasburg Rail Road Company, Stoudt Advisors, Sugar Whipped Bakery, and Water’s Edge Miniature Golf & Ice Cream Shop.
Please contact library listed to register for program. For a listing of local libraries, visit www.lancasterlibraries.org
To find out more about the Summer Reading Program visit:
http://lancasterlibraries.org/library-services/youth/summer-reading-program/
Printed event booklets are available for pick up at your local library or bookmobile. Contact your local public library for more information about these summertime happenings! Visit our website at www.lancasterlibraries.org and click on “Your Local Library” for a complete listing of Public Libraries in Lancaster County. The countywide public library summer reading program is supported in part by the Library System of Lancaster County.
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