2009 Summer Reading Club “The Amazing Read” Kick-Off Party Scheduled for Saturday, June 6th
Rockford Public Library hosts Summer Reading Club for all ages
Rockford Public Library will launch its 2009 Summer Reading Club “The Amazing Read” at a Kick-Off party scheduled for Saturday, June 6th from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in downtown Parking Lot C (corner of Jefferson and Wyman). The Kick-Off Party will offer crafts, a bouncy tent, a rock climbing wall and an inflatable obstacle course challenge for attendees in keeping with the theme of this year’s club—the popular television series The Amazing Race. The first 1,000 children to register at the Kick-Off Party will receive a free “The Amazing Read” t-shirt. The Summer Reading Club runs from June 6th to August 7th, 2009.
“This year’s theme allows us to incorporate all the fun elements of The Amazing Race—travel, new cultures and challenges,” said Sue Stevens, Chair of the Summer Reading Club. “Ultimately, we try to keep our summer reading club fresh and fun every year and we anticipate record numbers in 2009.”
The library has already seen usage numbers skyrocket with the opening of the new East Branch Library on State St., coupled with a renewed interest in library service as families look for ways to economize. While Rockford Public Library’s statistics have shown increased use every year, administrators are dealing with a definite spike in 2009. This year’s summer reading club anticipates over 11,000 children, teens and adults joining. The club will feature online versions for young adults and adults for the first time this year.
“The numbers tell us we are moving in the right direction,” said Frank Novak, Executive Director of Rockford Public Library. “The East Branch is amazingly busy and our popular materials focus is resulting in high turnover rates throughout the collection. It presents us with some challenges, but we are excited to be a valuable resource for Rockford.”
Rockford Public Library’s Summer Reading Club offers plenty of great prizes for every age level. Children (birth-5th grade) can earn prizes for every five books they read. Plus, children’s club finishers will earn a book to keep and a ticket to the Finisher’s Party at Magic Waters on August 7th. Young Adult (grades 6-12) finishers will earn a gift certificate to Beef-a-Roo, a ticket to the Finisher’s Party at Magic Waters and an entry to win a limo ride, dinner and movie passes for themselves and five friends. Adults (ages 18 and up) can read for chances to win gift certificates from local establishments.
The Summer Reading Club is sponsored by the Friends of Rockford Public Library, AA Self Storage, Beef-a-Roo, Magic Waters, Illinois Arts Council, Sam’s Club Foundation, Williams-Manny Insurance, Associated Bank, and Applebee’s. Additional contributions to the club were made by Steak ‘n Shake, Papa John’s, Culver’s, Famous Dave’s, Egg Harbor, Texas Roadhouse and Pizza Hut.
For a complete list of “The Amazing Read” programs and events, please visit our website at www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org/events .
To register for the club, stop by any RPL location from June 6th to August 7th or visit www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
About the Library
The Rockford Public Library, founded in 1872 as the second library in Illinois, currently has six facilities, including the Main Library and five Branch Libraries. The Rockford Public Library’s mission is to enhance community life and development by informing, educating, entertaining, and providing cultural enrichment to all people of all ages by collecting information to address the diverse interests of our dynamic community.
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