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Library rewards reading during summer
By ZACK SHIVELY
The PLYMC organized their annual Summer Discovery program for months May to July to encourage reading among all ages.
The program runs through all branches of the library and offers prizes to all readers. The library will give children, teens and adults chances to visit different programs at the various branches. They reward all ages for both reading and attending events.
The program brought in 4,603 children participants in 2017. They also had 612 teens and 849 adults. The library wants to help prevent any loss during the summer between school years, so they try to keep the school aged participants active in learning.
The library has different incentive levels for each age group. Children are rewarded for reading ten, twenty and thirty books, with the first prize being a free book. Similarly, teens get rewarded for finishing five, 10 and 15 books, with different prizes, such as a phone charger with multiple cables.
Once a child has read thirty books, they will be invited to a special breakfast. This year’s guest for the breakfast is Marc Brown, the author of the “Arthur” book series. Children will get to meet the famous children’s author.
“If anyone is looking for something to do this summer, the library is the place to be,” said Josephine Nolf, the Director of Youth Services and Programs with the PLYMC. She said the library works hard to plan programs for everyone throughout all 15 branches.
The children programs meet various educational content standards. Some programs reach many branches, such as the Tales of King Arthur and Rock Out with the Green Team programs. They have theatre programs such as a performance of “Rumpelstiltskin” from the Madcap Puppets at the Austintown library and a drama camp where children will learn about theatre and put on a production of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.” They will also have Barn Yard Petting Zoo at the Boardman library and Felger Exotic Animals at the Poland, Canfield, Michael Kusalaba and Main libraries.
They also have adult and teen programs, including a presentation from sportswriter Terry Pluto. They will also bring in author Deanna Adams to speak about the area’s connection to rock ‘n’ roll, with bands like Glass Harp and Devo. The teens will have their own special Decades Rewind Party at the Poland library.
Many of the programs focus on music, as this year’s theme for the Summer Discovery is “Reading Rocks.” Children’s musician Jim Gill will visit the Main and Austintown library branches. The PLYMC will also have a presentation from Sogbety Diomande, a West African drummer.
The PLYMC receives support from donors and sponsors, such as Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The Rotary clubs of Austintown, Boardman, Canfield and Poland, as well as the Friends of the PLYMC, Austintown Library, Boardman Library and Poland Library, help fund the program.