By Erika Kosin
Rowan Public Library
As the Rowan Public Libraryís Summer Reading Program winds down, it is nice to look back and reflect on the great time we had. With this yearís theme, One World, Many Stories, we encouraged both children and teens to travel the world from home through books.
While our library is fortunate to have tremendous support from both the Friends of the Rowan Public Library and the county, allowing us to fund all of the wonderful programs we offer, the emphasis is on the children reading throughout the summer. We know that many children view reading as a chore they have to complete for school, but at the library, we say reading is for fun, that is why we do not require children to read a certain list of books. Instead we tell them to read what they want during the summer. Also, by allowing the children to choose the books they want to read, whether fiction, non-fiction or a picture book, they learn that the library has books that cater to each individual taste.
Those who work with children know that the simple act of reading keeps their brains engaged during the summer months and will help them stay ahead at school. In fact, studies have shown that those students who read over the summer months return to school better prepared and those who have not read tend to slip back one to two years on their reading ability. With the knowledge of how important it is for children to read over the summer, the library does its best to encourage children to read and, so far, we have seen many children doing just that. This is done by helping children keep track of the hours spent reading and rewarding them for turning in those hours in five-hour increments, thus creating an incentive to keep reading in a fun atmosphere.
Encouragement to read does not end at the elementary school level at Rowan Public Library. We also offer summer reading programs for the students in middle school and high school, but their program follows a different format.
While this summerís programs are ending, the teens wrapped up their final program on July 28 with a cookout at the South Branch, and the childrenís programming also ended the last week in July, we do encourage everyone to keep reading until school starts at the end of August.
Summer Reading 2011 may be winding down, but the staff at Rowan Public Library are already looking towards next summerís installment and hope to see everyone back and some new participants in June 2012.
Children ages 1 through fifth grade can turn in their hours through Aug. 12. Our prize basket raffle winners will be announced on Aug. 15.
Summer Family Movie Night ó at Rowan Public Library headquarters, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m., ěCloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.î Part of the Centennial celebration. All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13 ó some movies are in appropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Computer classes: There are no computer classes in August.
Book Bites Club ó Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m., ěHouse Rulesî by Jodi Picoult. Book discussion groups for both adults and children are held at South Rowan Regional Library the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information please call 704-216-8229.
Displays: Headquarters óAnime by Robert Clyde Allen; South ó lunch boxes by Sharon Ross; East ó clowns by Elizabeth Ellenburg.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.