summer reading

Dig ... for pirate treasure! Arrrrrr!

Katie Adams presents Pirate Tales! with storytelling, puppets and participative fun.

The coasts of Florida were once crawling with pirates. In colorful pirate garb Katie brings these stories to life with a treasure chest full of props and costumes, a parrot puppet, and audience participation. Stories include The Pirate’s Three Wishes, Short Tales of Florida Pirates and more! Audiences will discover what treasure lies at the spot marked X, and be inspired to dig into books about pirates. 45 minutes.

Touring throughout Florida. Group discounts available!

Library Reading Incentive Programs for Summer and Beyond

Free Webinar

Tuesday, February 15, 2011, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. EST

Register here

Note: If this time doesn’t fit your schedule, you can find this and other programs in the WebJunction archive at http://bit.ly/WebJunctionArchive.

Join a showcase of reading initiatives that will draw readers of all ages to your library. Presenters will share how they plan, promote, and carry out successful summer reading programs, and will discuss year-round efforts that encourage and support lifelong readership in the community. Panelist Melanie A. Lyttle, head of public services at the Madison Public Library in Ohio, will describe her library's use of social media to support their summer reading program, including the famed "Crabby Librarian." Carol Evrard and Jenny Sitzman of Indiana's Spencer County Public Library will speak about their summer reading program; and Janet Ingraham Dwyer, library consultant at the State Library of Ohio, will talk about other successful reading programs in her state including Choose to Read Ohio, a statewide initiative which encourages Ohioans of all ages to read and enjoy books together.

The Young Adult Library Services Association and Dollar General  are offering grants for outstanding summer reading programs for teens. These grants are designed to encourage innovative summer reading programs by providing financial assistance, while recognizing YALSA members for outstanding program development. Applicants must plan and present an outline for a teen-focused summer reading program in a library. Programs must be open to all teens (12-18 years).

YALSA encourages innovative proposals that are inclusive of underserved teen populations, including but not limited to teens with disabilities and teens who speak English as a second language. The $1,000 grant, made possible by Dollar General, must be used to support the program. A total of twenty grants are available. Individual library branches within a larger system are welcome to apply. Applications are due March 1, 2011. Recipients will be announced in early April.

To apply, you must:

• Be a personal member of YALSA.
• Live in one of 35 states that has a Dollar General store (Florida libraries are eligible).
• Plan to offer a summer reading program for teens in your library.

Download the instructions and application, view the sample budget, and submit to yalsa@ala.org by March 1, 2011.

Questions should be sent to Letitia Smith at lsmith@ala.org, or contact her by phone at 800.545.2433, extension 4390.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     CONTACT: DOE PRESS OFFICE

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010                                                                                                  (850) 245-0413

DOS PRESS OFFICE

(850) 245-6527

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LAUNCHES COMMISSIONER’S SUMMER READING ADVENTURE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE

~ Students provided free online book search to encourage more reading all year long ~