June 17, 2005

Time to hit the books for fun

San Jose’s Summer Reading Celebration kicks off June 18

An estimated 24,000 young people and their families are expected to sign up for the annual Summer Reading Celebration at San Jose Public Library’s neighborhood branches and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library starting Saturday, June 18.

The new Tully Community Branch Library at 880 Tully Road is serving as the temporary home for the resources and staff of Evergreen Branch Library, which is being rebuilt.

The eight-week program encourages recreational reading as a family activity, offering prizes as rewards for reaching five reading milestones set at six hours each for a cumulative total of 30 hours.

Each year program materials carry a new theme to spark the imagination and engage readers’ sense of fun. This year there are themes: Super Readers = Super Heroes for children and Unleash Your Power/READ for teens.

While the Summer Reading Celebration’s focus is on establishing reading as an enjoyable, stress-free activity, there is a more serious underlying benefit. Research has shown that student learning declines or remains stagnant during the summer months; phenomena often referred to as the “summer effect.”

However, research also shows that children who read or are read to at least three times a week have a higher rate of academic success than children from homes with less exposure to books. The library’s summer reading program has proven to be a great motivator to get families coming to the library on a regular basis and reading more, helping diminish the effects of “summer setback.” Eighty percent of participants surveyed last year report that they read more as a result, and 75 percent report that they enjoy reading more.
 
San Jose residents may sign up any time starting June 18 and complete as many milestones as they wish. Family members may sign up individually or as a group, tracking progress with one reading log. Credit may also be earned for reading aloud to younger family members. Those who complete all five stages will take home a free book.

Library activities increase during the summer to provide entertaining and free educational and recreational opportunities and to encourage return visits. This year’s special performance features Bay Area magician Brian Scott in his production of “Mystic Magic: Super Powers for Super Readers.” Check SJLibrary.org for the program schedule and other upcoming events.

Teens may earn community service credit for volunteering to assist program participants at their neighborhood library. With the exception of teensReach volunteers, summer reading volunteers must be 15 years of age or older.

Volunteers commit to assisting two to four hours per week over the course of the eight-week program, typically between noon and 4 p.m. Good verbal communication skills and an ability to work with people of all ages is required.

Each year’s celebration is enhanced through generous community support, such as personal pizza coupons from Round Table Pizza.

For more information, visit the Web page: www.SJLibrary.org or contact the Tully Community Branch Library at (408) 808-3030 or King Library Youth Services at (408) 808-2183.