For Immediate Release: May 2, 2008

Catch the Reading Bug at Oakland Public
Library’s 2008 Summer Reading Program

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(Oakland, CA)— The Oakland Public Library invites Oakland’s youth to “Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library” this summer. That’s the theme of the 2008 Summer Reading Game, a chance for little bookworms, ages 13 and under, to read their way to great prizes starting June 7 and running though August 9, 2008. Kids, ages 13 and under, are encouraged to buzz on in to one of our branches, the bookmobile, or the Main Library’s Children’s Room to sign-up and start reading their way to valuable prizes, including books and tickets to some of Oakland’s hottest attractions. Pre-readers can participate by having someone read to them.

The Summer Reading Program is a fun way to encourage kids to maintain their reading skills over the summer. Children may read anything they want for the program, so they can develop their own interests and a love of reading. Numerous studies have found that children who select books for themselves, and participate in reading as a leisure activity, improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills.

To entice young people to use Oakland’s libraries, we’ve lined up a summer’s worth of free events featuring puppets, magic tricks, music, wildlife, crafts, and more. The fun begins with a Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party on Saturday, May 31, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Main Library’s Children’s Room, 125 14th Street. Children who sign up for the Summer Reading Program will receive a free hot dog or veggie dog. In addition, they’ll be treated to performances by the Prescott Clowns, Teng Fei Lion Dancers, and a live reggae band, La Raza Farians. Finally, kids will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to “Dunk the Librarian!”

Families with children, ages 2 to 7, can get involved by attending an Early Reading Fun Workshop at one of 13 libraries, a family literacy night sponsored with a generous grant from the Stocker Foundation. These special literacy programs, planned in partnership with the library’s Second Start Family Literacy Program, will combine crafts and story time with tips on how families can nurture the next generation of readers.

On Sunday, August 10, 2008, come celebrate when the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Museum of California partner to host a Summer Reading Program Finale from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Look for hands-on activities, a special performer, a scavenger hunt, and a ceremony honoring everyone who completed the Summer Reading Program. This event will be held at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street.

Sponsors of the 2008 Summer Reading Program include Friends of the Oakland Public Library, The Stocker Foundation, Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service, Ben & Jerry’s - Jack London Square, California Academy of Sciences, Chabot Space & Science Center, Children’s Fairyland, Renaissance Rialto Theaters (Grand Lake Theater), Hometown Buffet, Lawrence Hall of Science, Oakland A’s Baseball Team, Oakland Ice Center, Oakland Museum of California, Zeum, Raging Waters, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Round Table Pizza.

For more information about the Catch the Reading Bug program or to see a schedule of the many free events taking place this summer at your neighborhood library, please call (510) 238-3615, or visit the library’s Website at www.oaklandlibrary.org. You can also pick up a calendar of events at any Oakland Public Library or bookmobile. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland.

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