NEW YORK—With three library systems spanning the whole of New York City (New York Public Library, Queens Library, and Brooklyn Public Library), it won’t be hard for New Yorkers to relax on hot summer days with a book in hand.
On June 9, libraries across the city kicked off their Summer Reading program with a round of festive events. For New York Public Library (NYPL), the celebrations were held at the Seward Park branch in the Lower East Side. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories,” and Brittany Lopez, a teen from the Bronx who won last year’s Summer Reading challenge, had her own story to share.
“I remember when I had first won the Summer Reading contest, the librarians at the Wakefield branch had encouraged me to continue on reading. Whether it was in or out of the library, contest or not, ‘just keep on going,’ they said. And so I did,” Lopez said.
Lopez, who read 325 books in three months, said the encouragement she received played a significant role in her progress. She wanted to be a positive influence and encourage other children to read as much as they could.
“A little girl came up to me once and said she wanted to be just like me,” Lopez recalled. “I thought, even if it was just a little, I want to influence others to read. I want to show others that it isn’t boring … when I look at books, I see stories, ideas—something that’ll help my imagination roam free.”
On June 9, libraries across the city kicked off their Summer Reading program with a round of festive events. For New York Public Library (NYPL), the celebrations were held at the Seward Park branch in the Lower East Side. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories,” and Brittany Lopez, a teen from the Bronx who won last year’s Summer Reading challenge, had her own story to share.
“I remember when I had first won the Summer Reading contest, the librarians at the Wakefield branch had encouraged me to continue on reading. Whether it was in or out of the library, contest or not, ‘just keep on going,’ they said. And so I did,” Lopez said.
Lopez, who read 325 books in three months, said the encouragement she received played a significant role in her progress. She wanted to be a positive influence and encourage other children to read as much as they could.
“A little girl came up to me once and said she wanted to be just like me,” Lopez recalled. “I thought, even if it was just a little, I want to influence others to read. I want to show others that it isn’t boring … when I look at books, I see stories, ideas—something that’ll help my imagination roam free.”
The 2011 Summer Reading program provides lists of book recommendations for different age groups, while local libraries in all three library systems host a number of events all season long. The NYPL’s children programs, for example, include many “Reading Aloud” events, where librarians read books to youngsters, and they in turn can also read their favorite books to adults. The Queens Library offers a series of book discussions, as well as arts and crafts activities, poetry writing workshops, and even a dramatic performance of “Antigone.” In Brooklyn, a series of language and computer classes are open for the public.
On summerreading.org, readers who register on the website can log the books they have read and earn “summer reading badges.” Certain badges will win them prizes at their local libraries.
In accordance with this year’s theme, readers are also encouraged to write their own stories. The website includes a variety of “mix-and-match” guides and starter kits where users can share their stories via different media. They can design their own magazine covers, create podcasts, and make cartoon videos.
Chris Shoemaker, the young adult programming specialist for NYPL, said this year, the Summer Reading website has been revamped to include new interactive elements for young readers to create their own avatars, and post book reviews and reading suggestions.
On summerreading.org, readers who register on the website can log the books they have read and earn “summer reading badges.” Certain badges will win them prizes at their local libraries.
In accordance with this year’s theme, readers are also encouraged to write their own stories. The website includes a variety of “mix-and-match” guides and starter kits where users can share their stories via different media. They can design their own magazine covers, create podcasts, and make cartoon videos.
Chris Shoemaker, the young adult programming specialist for NYPL, said this year, the Summer Reading website has been revamped to include new interactive elements for young readers to create their own avatars, and post book reviews and reading suggestions.
New York City School Chancellor Dennis Walcott was present at the NYPL kickoff celebration to encourage children and teens of all ages to read.
“What today is about is reading and summer reading. We don’t want our children to drift away from reading once school is over,” Walcott said.
“It’s important to encourage our children to read on a regular basis,” the Chancellor said. “Making sure they pick up a book over the summer, and then talking to them about that book, critically analyzing that book, and making sure we constantly enter into a dialogue.”
The event at the Seward Park Library continued with a full program that delighted the young audience: a magic show, performances by the Big Apple Circus and Chinese lion dancers, and face painting. The celebration wrapped up with a traditional Mexican dance demonstration presented by Annabella Gonzales Dance Company.
The children were also ecstatic to see the unveiling of two “Lego Lions” that will sit outside the Seward Park Library.
Jack Martin, the NYPL assistant director for Children and Teen Programs, noted that libraries are an oasis within local communities. “Like a library’s mission, it [the Summer Reading program] inspires learning, it advances knowledge, and it strengthens our community by bringing people to the library, which is a vital center to the residents and visitors of our community of New York City.”
Martin added that summer reading is also an important component of a child’s education.
“Reading in the summer prevents what’s called ‘summer slide,’ which is when students are in critical danger of forgetting what they learned over the previous year. By reading over the summer, this helps them maintain their literacy skills so they can start school prepared to learn in the fall,” Martin said.
“What today is about is reading and summer reading. We don’t want our children to drift away from reading once school is over,” Walcott said.
“It’s important to encourage our children to read on a regular basis,” the Chancellor said. “Making sure they pick up a book over the summer, and then talking to them about that book, critically analyzing that book, and making sure we constantly enter into a dialogue.”
The event at the Seward Park Library continued with a full program that delighted the young audience: a magic show, performances by the Big Apple Circus and Chinese lion dancers, and face painting. The celebration wrapped up with a traditional Mexican dance demonstration presented by Annabella Gonzales Dance Company.
The children were also ecstatic to see the unveiling of two “Lego Lions” that will sit outside the Seward Park Library.
Jack Martin, the NYPL assistant director for Children and Teen Programs, noted that libraries are an oasis within local communities. “Like a library’s mission, it [the Summer Reading program] inspires learning, it advances knowledge, and it strengthens our community by bringing people to the library, which is a vital center to the residents and visitors of our community of New York City.”
Martin added that summer reading is also an important component of a child’s education.
“Reading in the summer prevents what’s called ‘summer slide,’ which is when students are in critical danger of forgetting what they learned over the previous year. By reading over the summer, this helps them maintain their literacy skills so they can start school prepared to learn in the fall,” Martin said.
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