Terrebonne hosting fundraising tournament
May 29, 2012
Cecile Brou Mongrue
May 31, 2012
If you’re going to lounge around this summer, you might as well pick up a book and stimulate the mind.
Boys and girls of all ages are welcome to participate in a statewide summer reading program, an effort to encourage reading among all demographics. In exchange for finishing a minimum number of library books or publications, participants are rewarded with prizes.
“It keeps the kids reading all summer long,” says Cherie Mahaffey, youth services manager for Terrebonne Parish Libraries. “When they take that break from school, you don’t want them to lose that vocabulary before they go back. It’s best to keep them reading and keep their minds running through the summer.”
“Nighttime” is this year’s statewide theme. Broken down into age groups, the children’s slogan is “Dream Big: READ,” the teen slogan is “Own the Night” and the adult slogan is “Between the Covers.”
The program offers various activities – such as art projects, creative writing, sports and gaming – meant to encourage future reading.
In Terrebonne, children up to 6th grade who read 10 library books receive a certificate, coupons for free ice cream, skating and bowling, and a chance to win a bicycle. Each of the nine branches will give away one bike.
“We allow them to read whatever they want,” Mahaffey says.
The children’s theme is incorporated into the library’s story time, open to youngsters in Pre-K through third grade. “We read books, we sing songs and we do actions, get them up and moving,” Mahaffey says.
The main branch offers craft programs for children every Thursday. Registration is required because of limited space.
The branch also hosts two special guests this month: Page Turner Adventures, a couple who acts out the entirety of a book, comes on June 27, and The Noise Guy, with an array of sounds he makes with his mouth, follows on June 29.
Several other special performers visit other branches throughout June and July. A full list is available at www.mytpl.org.
Teens who read three books, e-books, graphic novels or magazine are awarded a certificate, a book bag and coupons for cold treats, skating and food at Buffalo Wild Wings. They can participate in various craft and drawing classes.
Participating adults are asked to read a total of four library books, e-books or magazines to receive prizes, such as $5 worth of free books at the Friends of the Library Book Sale and a choice between five free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings or a medium cherry limeade from Sonic.
For adults, the library hosts a scrapbooking class on the last Thursday of each month and its “Remember When” program on the second Tuesday of each month during the summer.
Participants can register online or in person at any of the Terrebonne Parish branches.
As part of the same program at Lafourche Parish Public Libraries, participants are invited to summer arts and crafts programs led by local artists.
In June, children between the ages of 8 and 12 can participate in sculpture and painting programs, and various arts programs are offered to teenagers. Registration is required.
The Thibodaux Branch kicks off its summer reading program with lessons in pet care, in coordination with HOPE for Animals. The program, which is free and open to the public, begins at 10 a.m. on June 1, and children are able to get up close and playful with a few furry critters.
Magician Glen Ghirardi also helps usher in the summer reading program with four free performances: twice on June 5, at South Lafourche Public Library and Holy Savior Catholic School and twice more on June 6, both at the Thibodaux Branch Library.
In 2011, 89,000 people participated statewide in the summer reading program. Throughout the state, libraries offered 8,500 free programs, which had an estimated attendance of 253,000 people, according to the lieutenant governor’s office.
“Own the Night” is the teenager slogan for the statewide summer reading program. The children’s slogan is “Dream Big: READ,” and the adult slogan is “Between the Covers.”
