June 13, 2006
Mayor Cites Program’s Importance as Literacy Aid; Kickoff Galas Take Place June 27-28
For many of today’s activity-saturated, every-spare-moment-on-the-go youth, summer is the best time they have to relax and just read.
The Woodbridge Public Library will help students indulge their reading hobby by hosting the 41st annual “Summer Reading Club” June 26 through August 11 at the Main Library and Fords, Inman and Iselin branch libraries.
The Summer Reading Club June 27-28 kickoff gala spans all four Township libraries and features The Lizard Guys, an educational group from Raritan, New Jersey, who bring live exotic animals to illustrate lessons about wildlife behavior and habitat. Performance times are: 10-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (June 27, Main Library), 1:30-2:30 p.m. (June 27, Fords), 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (June 28, Inman), 1-2 p.m. (June 28, Iselin).
“This program is a vital aid to literacy,” says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “It not only helps children maintain the reading level they attained during the school year, it makes them better prepared for instruction when they return to school in the Fall.”
Ask any of the more than 2,500 Woodbridge Township kids ages 3-13 who participate each year, and they’ll emphasize the Club’s purely fun dimension of arts and crafts, story times, entertainment and prizes along with access to a superb collection of children’s and young adult reading materials.
The Summer Reading Club has been part of the Woodbridge Public Library's program of service since its reorganization as a free public library in 1966, says Library Director John Hurley. “This has always been one of our most popular programs,” says Hurley. “Many of the students come back year after year.”
Sponsored nationally by the American Library Association, the Summer Reading Club is now part of a 32-state collaborative effort utilizing a common theme. This year’s theme is “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales” and encourages children to delve into the world of pets, animals and nature.
Taking part in the Club is easy, says Susan Fichtelberg of the Main Library Children’s Department. “Children join by filling out a reading folder in their local branch library. They take the folder with them and check off boxes for each 15 minutes they read, either at home or at the library. For every two hours of reading time, a child can choose from a selection of prizes.”
Students may register for the Summer Reading Club and The Lizard Guys show at any branch library or call (732) 634-4450 ext. 225.
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MIS Department
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