SUMMER READING FUN CALLS FOR CELEBRATION

Hundreds of local children will travel to exotic locations around the world this summer. Some will venture back in time while others will peek into the future. Space travel, too, awaits curious, young minds.

Tours embark almost daily at local libraries where librarians are the travel guides and books are the vehicles.

Summer reading programs, offered through many area libraries, help organize such youthful forays, virtually guaranteeing a summer chock full of adventure.

Through the reading programs, Tasha Saecker said, "We want to connect kids with books." Saecker is coordinator of youth services at Cape Girardeau Public Library and project director at the Homework and Literacy Center, Ellis and Maple streets. "We want to show them that reading is fun and not something you do just in school," she said. "We try to make it as fun as possible."

Celebrate Read is the theme many area libraries are adopting for their summer reading programs. The theme is that of this year's Missouri Youth Summer Library Program.

Libraries can take the theme and adapt it to suit their particular library' s personality, explained Sally Pierce, director of the Jackson Public Library. While reading program specifics vary from library to library, the mission of encouraging children to discover the joy of reading remains the same.

Incentives like free food coupons and prizes are motivational tools.

To help spark excitement for summer reading, the Cape Girardeau Public Library is planning a carnival from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the library. The celebration will kick-off the summer reading program.

Sign-up is underway this week for the reading programs at the Cape public library and at the Homework and Literacy Center. Reading programs at those sites begin June 13 and extend through July.

In the reading programs, for children ages 2 to 12, Saecker explained, "They sign up to read at least five books during the summer." Parents read to the prereader set.

"When they reach their goal, they get a new book and a chance to win a bicycle," Saecker said. Children read at their own pace, and what's more, "They get prizes all along the way," the project director explained.

"Log sheets are kept at the library. When the children return the books, they write down the names of the books they've read," she said. "They don't have to be any special kind of books. They can read anything they like, just as long as it's at their level."

A library card is required for participation in the reading club. There is no charge for a library card for persons living within the Cape Girardeau Municipal Library District. Library cards are $24 a year for persons residing outside the boundaries, or $8 for three months. "So, if they just want to be involved in the summer reading club, they can," Saecker said.

The district does not follow geographical city boundaries, therefore persons can call the library to learn if they may receive a library card at no cost.

In-house programs and demonstrations at the Cape public library and the literacy center are also elements of the summer emphasis on reading. From story hours to viewing live animals, plus crafts, films, games and special guests, opportunities for stimulating activities are abundant throughout the summer. "We do have programs almost every day at the sites," Saecker said.

Judy Holmes and Sally Pierce are among those gearing up for a summer full of reading celebration at the Jackson Public Library.

Celebrate Read, for preschoolers through grade 6, began there June 1 and extends through noon Aug. 6. "There's still plenty of time to sign up," Pierce encouraged.

Holmes, children's librarian, said she receives plenty of encouragement for her work in developing a comprehensive summer reading program. "The parents are glad we have the program to keep their children reading and to keep their reading skills honed," she noted. "The nicest thing for me are the compliments from the parents and the children who come up and say, 'Oh, I read this book all by myself,' or 'I liked this book, I didn't think I would, but I did."'

In the city library' s program, "We consider the number 15 a completion," Pierce said. Incentives are awarded along the way. Devout readers in three age categories can read a greater number of books_ see the library for details_and have their names entered in a drawing for a bicycle.

Weekly programs are scheduled, primarily in June, for children enrolled in the summer reading program at the city library. "They're designed to entertain and encourage curiosity about all kinds of subjects," Pierce said.

Riverside Regional Library in Jackson and the Riverside library branches launched their versions of Celebrate Read May 31.

Sign-up for the summer of reading fun has been steady, said Lynn Farrow of the Jackson regional library.

As with the Cape Girardeau and Jackson city libraries, incentives are awarded as the young person progresses toward his or her goal. For youngsters enrolled in the summer reading program at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson, the summer fun will culminate July 26 at a park party. Names will be drawn for prizes from among those who have read 20 or more books during the summer.

Story hours, which Farrow said, "complement the reading program," are scheduled at the Jackson regional library throughout June and July.

Young persons of any age can take part in the summer reading program at the Jackson Riverside Regional Library.

That more than a 1000 children will likely take part in the Cape Girardeau Public Library's summer reading program and other area libraries will record enrollments into triple digits is considered terrific news to most educators.

Participation in summer reading fun can leave a lasting impression, contends Mary Ann Lewis, first grade teacher at May Greene Elementary School.

"You can always tell when school begins," whether a child has been encouraged to read throughout the summer, Lewis said. "Those children who have kept up those skills, they're ready to pick up and go."

"At the end of the year, I send home a letter," Lewis said, "I tell parents that in the summer we just have to read, read, read."

The teacher explained, "Research shows that multiple practice is what they need to retain those skills they have learned."