Washington County Libraries’ Summer Reading Programs for Teens and Young Adults
Teen Metamorphosis! Summer Reading 2008
1. Why do libraries in Washington County conduct Summer Reading Programs for teens?
Participation in a teen summer library program greatly contributes to the developmental assets necessary for teens to grow into healthy, caring, responsible adults. Summer Reading programs provide benefits like constructive use of time, building and strengthening relationships with both peers and adults in their community, and developing a positive identity and value system. And those benefits aren’t even the best part! Teens have a chance to engage with pleasure reading and all types of literacy in a fun, self-motivated environment outside of the classroom. There’s no better way to become a lifelong learner than to discover that the library has something for your personal interests, not just class assignments!
2. What is the theme for Teen Summer Reading?
Metamorphosis @ Your Library.
3. What ages participate?
Any student entering 6th through 12th grade is welcome to participate.
4. What kinds of activities?
Varies from library to library, some have prize drawings, some have special events.
For example, events at Tigard Public Library include a bug film fest, punk yoga, arts & crafts workshops, Café Night, and a Glow in the Dark Game Night.
At the Beaverton City Library, this year’s events include a Pizza & Pages book club; Pwn’ed!, a gaming program with DDR and GuitarHero; a zine workshop, a henna night, Teen Screenz movies, and weekly prize drawings for book reviews.
5. What kind of incentives?
Teens who complete the Summer Reading Program will get a prize packet that includes a paperback book, a discounted pass to Oaks Park, and all sorts of goodies from local sponsors. Several libraries are also running prize drawings for lots of fun prizes throughout the summer. For example, at Beaverton City Library the grand prize is one hundred dollars!
6. Is there a charge for any of these activities?
No, the Summer Reading Program and all associated activities are provided FREE of charge to participants due in a large part to generous sponsors. We do, however ask that teens sign up at ONLY one library for the reading program so that we have enough prizes for all the young adults who complete their reading goals.
7. Who are the sponsors for the Summer Reading Program?
There are many countywide sponsors of the 2007 Summer Reading Program. They are listed on your screen. This year funding and in-kind support for the summer reading program has been provided: Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant, Oaks Amusement Park, The Standard, The Oregonian, Portland’s The CW 32, Wells Fargo, PGE, El Hispanic News, KUIK 1360 AM Radio, Alpha Graphics, Comcast, Trail Blazers, Round Table Pizza, and by a Ready to Read grant from the Oregon State Library. In addition, many community businesses and civic groups frequently contribute to their local library summer program.