Ella Coburn enjoys reading at the public library in Glade Spring, Va.
Every summer, area libraries come alive with the sounds of youth having fun while learning, while prizes and incentives are offered to encourage readers of all ages to keep reading.
Summer Reading Programs at libraries help youth avoid the "summer slide," a cumulative loss of reading skills that occurs when children do not read during summer vacation.
Bristol Public Library
276-645-8780 • www.bristol-library.org
• TEENS: If you're between the ages of 13-18, programming will feature painting, theatre arts, movies, photography, music and the culinary arts. In addition to reading, discussing and journaling about books, highlights include Barter Theatre productions, a midnight Harry Potter film fest, and a Ghost Walk.
For more on the Bristol library program click HERE.
Washington County Library (VA)
276-676-6222 • www.wcpl.net
• YOUTH: Special events include a visit from exotic animals, silly science, Lego-mania, crafts, family-friendly movies, and more. Programs for young children will be held at all branches, including Abingdon, Damascus, Glade Spring, Mendota and Hayters Gap. At the Abingdon library, teen events will take place on Mondays at 6 p.m., and family-friendly movies will be shown Mondays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• ADULTS: Participants may read any books during "Novel Destinations," but this year's signature book is the Pulitzer Prize-winning March by Geraldine Brooks. The novel was selected in recognition of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. A companion piece to Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, March presents the viewpoint of the absent father. According to Publisher's Weekly, "Brooks' affecting, beautifully written novel drives home the intimate horrors and ironies of the Civil War and the difficulty of living honestly with the knowledge of human suffering." March emerges as an idealistic chaplain in the backwaters of a war that will test his faith in himself and in the Union cause as he learns that his side, too, is capable of acts of barbarism and racism. As he recovers from a near mortal illness, he must reassemble his shattered mind and body, and find a way to reconnect with a wife and daughters who have no idea of the ordeals he has been through.
Johnson City Public Library
423-434-4450 • www.jcpl.net
• CHILDREN: One World, Many Stories features a variety of lively events for infants through fifth graders on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. In June, highlights include Chetter Galloway's Feel the Rhythm, Live the Story storytelling program, master puppeteer Hobey Ford presenting World Tales and Safari Greg's magic and exotic animals. In addition, in the Tale to Tail program on Mondays at 4 p.m., children read to a trained listening dog; Family Storytime is scheduled on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.; Two's Company (for two-year-olds) on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.; and Preschool Storytime on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
• TEENS: You Are Here programming will feature games and traditional art and craft techniques from around the world. Youth in grades 6-12 will make projects on Monday, June 27 from 1-3 p.m. and on Tuesday, June 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Kingsport Public Library
423-229-9366 • www.kingsportlibrary.org
• CHILDREN: One World, Many Stories is the theme. Youth in grades K-5 will meet on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for a storytelling program by Chetter Galloway, a magic show by Joseph Young, and Farmer Jason playing music. Preschoolers will meet on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Nursery Rhymes and Songs Around the World; Animals on the Go with park ranger Marty Silver; and Animals Around the World featuring Aesop's Fables. Programs for youth ages 2-3 will be held on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. In addition, youth are invited to read to a certified therapy dog during Paws to Read.
• TEENS: You Are Here will feature Arts Around the World with Teacher of the Year Jack Boyles, Brain vs. Brawn World Survivor games, a scavenger hunt, a murder mystery, and discussions of the "Hottest Books of the Summer."
• ADULTS: Meet local authors, participate in a photography workshop and contest, make crafts, and more during Novel Destinations. Reading rewards include gift certificates from Barter Theatre and from Martha Washington for dinner and a play.
