Libraries in Washington County Offer Summer Reading Program for All Ages

For immediate RELEASE
Date: June 2, 2011
Contact: Jodi Nielsen, Senior Program Educator Washington County Cooperative Library Services www.wccls.org
503-846-3235

Libraries in Washington County Offer Summer Reading Program for All Ages

Youth Theme: One World, Many Stories
Teen Theme: You are Here
Adult Theme: Novel Destinations

Washington County, Oregon: It's June - do you know what that means? The Summer Reading Program starts at your Library! Librarians all over Washington County have been hard at work preparing for Summer Reading programs, and it all finally starts this week.

When it comes to summer reading, we often think of children first. And maybe we should - research shows that reading over the summer is really beneficial for kids. Did you know that the number of books read during the summer is consistently related to academic gains? Or that use of the public library is more predictive of vocabulary gains than attending summer school? But Summer Reading is also fun! We have great reading incentives from community partners (Portland Trail Blazers, Washington County Fair, Portland Timbers, Oaks Amusement Park and Bullwinkle's Family Fun Center), hundreds of fun library programs, and book lists for all ages to help kids find their next great read.

According to Eva Calcagno, Director of the Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), "it is well documented that kids who read for pleasure in the summer do better and forget less when they go back to school.  And it is not just in reading. Kids who do not read over the summer can slide backward in all subject areas. This can mean a big loss in their literacy growth compared to those who do continue learning all year long."

But summer reading isn't just for the young kids - Washington County libraries offer cool programs to teens and a new countywide program for adults.  So don't get left out of the fun this year. Check out our Teen Summer Reading page to find events, learn about the cool prizes, and find great book suggestions.

Adults can also participate - taking advantage of great book lists to find some new authors, or meet other book lovers at library programs this summer. Participants are even invited to post their own book reviews to the library catalog. There are also some great prizes, such as e-readers, hotel stays, theater tickets, and more for the adults who sign up online!

In addition to the prize sponsors listed above, we wish to thank the remaining community partners who have contributed to the WCCLS Summer Reading programs this year, including Wells Fargo, The Standard, Metro Parent Magazine, Portland Woman Magazine, Comcast, Univision KUNP Portland, The Oregonian, El Hispanic News, KUIK 1360 radio and AlphaGraphics.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you readers in the library and online!
Youth Theme:           One World, Many Stories (www.wccls.org/srp)
Teen Theme:            You are Here (www.wccls.org/tsrp)
Adult Theme:            Novel Destinations (www.wccls.org/asrp)