FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MATTOON – Weekly story times, three different programs on nature, a puppet show and focus on different continents are among the highlights of the Summer Read program at the Mattoon Public Library.
Signup begins on May 21 for the six-week program, whose theme is “Reading Takes You Places.” Signup is available at the library or online at www.mattoonlibrary.org.
The first 350 children who sign up receive a goody bag. All participants will have a passport to track their reading through the summer. Among the new items this year are a grand finale party on June 28 for children who complete the program and more opportunities for prizes, including weekly drawings for a tablet.
Those who complete the program are eligible for grand prizes, which include tickets to the Holiday World theme park. Every participant who completes the program receives a book, a food coupon, ticket to the finale party and entry into the grand prize drawings.
The 10 a.m. Tuesday Story Times designed for pre-kindergarten age children and their siblings feature books about places around the world. Story Time participants also may play with our train set, legos, texture and gadget walls and other games and activities that are always freely available. The first Story Time of the summer on May 22 is scheduled for Heritage Park, weather permitting.
In the young adult/middle school area, programs at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays will focus on a different continent each week. Each Wednesday beginning at 1:30 p.m. the library will host board games for students middle school and older.
“Tablets, the finale party and extending the Tuesday Story Time into the Summer Read program are among the exciting additions this year,” said Jasmine Jones, who coordinates Summer Read.
Other summer activities include a Mad Cap Puppets performance of Rumpelstiltskin at 1 p.m. on June 6 in the second floor children’s area. The library is hosting three different programs led by staff from the Douglas-Hart Nature Center: Ms. Drizzle at 10 a.m. May 31; Would You Rather at 1:15 p.m. June 22 and It’s Not What it Looks Like at 10 a.m. July 19. The library also partners with Lytle Park for the Movies In the Park series on Friday nights at dusk, beginning on June 1.
“The Summer Read program has something for everyone,” said Library Director Carl Walworth. “We have hands-on activities, new and old books, established programs and new initiatives. Of course people also may just come and enjoy the library. Our staff is excited and looking forward to working with youth and their families through the summer.”
For more information, check out www.mattoonlibrary.org or call 234-2621.
