Premium ContentClick on Premium Content on the Featured navigation bar for information.
On a cloudless, sun-drenched afternoon, the Omaha Public Library held its Summer Reading Program kickoff party Wednesday at the Millard branch in west Omaha.
The event originally was to take place June 1 at Elmwood Park. But wet weather forced the library to reschedule, fittingly during a year when “Make a Splash @ Your Library” is the program's theme.
“This really is a perfect day,” said Sarah English, youth services coordinator for the library. “It was kind of hard having to reschedule, because traditionally it's been our kickoff day when folks register and really get that charge to read all summer long.
“So we're glad we were able to put on the event again, just to help renew that spark. Even though we've been reading for a week already, it's nice to have this event just to get everybody excited.”
The people who showed up Wednesday certainly didn't seem to mind the do-over. The party for children and teens offered a variety of free activities, including live music, a petting zoo, a magic show, pony rides, a dunk tank and a digital bookmobile.
Omahan Susan Wright came to the library with her daughter, Natalie, 12, and son, Matthew, 10. She also brought nieces Brandi Eby, 8 and Brookelin Eby, 6.
“This program really keeps kids involved with books, so they keep their reading skills up,” Susan Wright said. “Reading is a lot of fun, and kids can do it anywhere, any time.”
By registering with the program, kids can take part in a variety of activities throughout the summer and win various prizes.
English said she was thrilled with the turnout at Wednesday's event. Parking was tough to come by, and the library buzzed with activity inside and out.
In 2009, more than 14,000 children and teens registered for the summer reading program. Participants read a total of 236,053 books.
English said the library's goal is to have more than 20,000 participants in 2010. That number should be in reach, she said, with the introduction of an adult summer reading program. The adult program also will offer prize drawings, including the grand prize of an iPad.
Summer reading program events and activities are free and open to everyone. People can visit
omahapubliclibrary.org or call their nearest Omaha Public Library branch for more information.
“It's so important to give kids that incentive to read,” English said, “because, really, reading is the base point for their future life and the building block for everything else.”
Contact the writer:
444-1207, chad.purcell@owh.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
