PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2014

Library Invites Community to Take Part in Redesigned Summer Learning Program

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is opening registration today for a redesigned summer program with a new focus on reading competency and lifelong learning. The 2014 Summer Learning Program (formerly known as Summer Reading) will run June 1 – July 31 and will commence with four fun-filled kickoff parties Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m.

Registration is easy. Visit www.CincinnatiLibrary.org/SummerLearn to get started. Participants also can sign up now at any of the Library’s 41 branch locations. Readers can begin logging hours on June 1.

Many aspects of the program remain the same. Readers in four age groups—preschoolers, kids, teens and adults can log their reading and earn prizes, as they have in past years. Prizes include books, toys for children, highlighters and color changing pencils for kids, journals for teens, coupons for free food from Gold Star Chili, personal electronic learning devices and much more, including an entry into the grand prize drawing for anyone who completes all levels by July 31. Every year, more than 40,000 Hamilton County residents participate in the program.

The name change comes as part of a new focus on serving children at risk of not being able to read at grade level by Grade three. The Library is working in partnership this year with the Summer Camp Reading organization (www.summercampreading.org) to conduct specialized camps at seven Library branch locations: Bond Hill, College Hill, Corryville, Northside, Pleasant Ridge, Price Hill and Westwood. The Summer Camp Reading organization has identified and pre-selected twelve students in those seven neighborhoods who are most at risk of not reading at grade level by Grade 3. Those 12 students will be immersed in an intensive six-week program to improve their reading skills through a combination of private tutoring, group activities and reading aloud. This specialized program runs from June 9 – July 18.

The Summer Learning program also will focus more on engaging adults of all ages, especially older adults. The Library will make a special effort to recruit adult readers at senior centers and community organizations and will release booklists and other resources throughout the summer to help motivate adult readers. The Library also plans more programs for adults as part of Summer Learning.

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The Library will officially kick off the Summer Learning program Saturday, May 31. All branches will have a bookmaking craft for kids throughout the day (while supplies last). Four branches will host special celebration performances. All performances happen at 2 p.m. They are:

Anderson Branch: (7450 State Ave., 45230) – Hosting magician Tom Bemmes

Madeira Branch: (7200 Miami Ave., 45243) – Hosting musician David Kisor

North Central Branch: (11109 Hamilton Ave., 45231) – Hosting origami expert Jonathan Heart

Green Township Branch: (6525 Bridgetown Rd., 45248) – Hosting the Amazing Portable Circus

The Library also will expand its Brain Camps this year to include all branches and will provide summer lunch service from June 9 to August 8 at select locations. More details on Brain Camp and the Summer Lunch program are on www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.

Thanks to the many sponsors who make Summer Learning possible: Duke Energy, The Kroger Co., Newman's Own Foundation, Western & Southern Financial Group, Wing Eyecare, The Library Foundation, the Friends of the Public Library, The Anderson Township Library Association, The Enquirer, Cincinnati Family Magazine, Cincy Magazine, Hulafrog, Read On!, and WMKV/WLHS The Maple Knoll Radio Network

About Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is one of the oldest, largest, and busiest libraries in the United States, serving a population of over 800,000 with a collection of more than 9 million items. In support of its mission of connecting people with the world of ideas and information, the Library also offers a wide variety of services and more than 20,000 free programs each year. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.

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