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IMCPL's 2008 Summer Reading Program Attracts Over 57,000 Readers!
August 28, 2008
An InfoZone Reading Giant in action
Demonstrating that reading can be a fun and stimulating summer activity, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 2008 Summer Reading Program, "Indy Adventures and the Summer Reading Spectacular," saw 57,058 children and parents sharpen their reading skills during the eight-week incentive-based program that ended in early August.
This year's participation topped 2007's total of nearly 55,000 readers. Over one million juvenile books and other materials were checked out by summer readers, an average of over 18 items per participant. More than half of the participants were aged 11 or younger.
Inspired by this summer's popular movie, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," the Summer Reading Program rewarded children for their reading accomplishments with prizes generously donated by community sponsors. Parents also earned prizes for the role they play in reading to young children and serving as role models to encourage reading success.
A valuable component of the program involved local teens who served as Reading Giants, reading role models who volunteered to read aloud to younger children at the library. There were 143 teens in grades 6 - 8 who served as Junior Reading Giants, and 47 teens in grades 9 - 12 who served as Reading Giants. These students were rewarded with a Reading Giants cap and Borders Gift Card, courtesy of the Fox 59/CW4 Community Fund, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation.
The Summer Reading Program is the Library's major initiative each year to promote reading and literacy skills among young people. Introducing children to books and having adults read to children are key factors in determining future reading success.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation was the proud sponsor of the 2008 Summer Reading Program. Major funding and support were provided by The Library Fund, a fund of The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate; Chase; Carrier Corporation; Fox 59/CW4 Community Fund, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation; Pacers Foundation, Inc.; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and Citizens Gas & Coke Utility.
For the first time in 2008, local adults were presented with their own reading program during the "Summer of Love Adult Summer Reading Program" exclusively at Central Library, during which 837 adults registered to read 1,867 books.
The "Summer of Love Adult Summer Reading Program" was presented by the Indiana Blood Center, with additional support provided by The Library Fund, a fund of The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate.
