Contact: Erica Dean Glenn
Senior Librarian, Children’s Department
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6229
Paws to Read! Berkeley Public Library’s Summer Reading Game starts Soon
Berkeley, June 10, 2014 —“Summer Slide” is a decline in kids’ reading ability over the summer and is a factor in the academic achievement gap. Studies show that kids who read during the summer beat this “slide” and may actually see their reading skills improve. The Berkeley Public Library’s Summer Reading Game, Paws to Read, combines books, library events, and prizes to encourage young people ages 0 to 13 to read this summer.
The game, which runs from June 13 to August 16, 2014, asks young people to choose whether to keep track of the number of books or pages read, or time spent reading. Children who read ten books, 1000 pages, or for ten hours, and who visit the library three times, are considered “finishers.” Finishers get a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream from Fenton’s Creamery and a choice of prizes including books, bookstore gift certificates, or bowling, ferry ride or museum passes. Call 510-981-6223 for more information.
This year we are excited to open Paws to Read to everyone from babies to 13 year olds. Parents and caregivers count books, pages or time reading with their young children, and visit the library three times. Their kids have their choice of prizes to take home. This supports adults reading to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, which is critical to literacy development. It also encourages young families to develop the library habit.
Paws to Read theme lends itself to a wide range of animal-centered programming:
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Fur, Scales and Tails, a hands-on animal experience
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Uncle Jer’s Honeybees, a fun and educational program about bees and beekeeping
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Busy Bee Dogs, a rescue dog revue
Keeping up the animal theme, the library is collecting donations of pet food and toys for the Berkeley Humane Society at all library locations until August 16, 2014.
The Summer Reading Game would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of The Friends of the Berkeley Public Library. Other community sponsors include Fenton’s Creamery, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Pegasus Books, Albany Bowl, the Ecology Center and the San Francisco Bay Ferry.
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