CENTRE HALL School’s out, and the days of summer stretch ahead like a long winding road with endless possibilities.
At least it seems that way when you’re young.
The last thing students think about on the last day of school is reading, but teachers try to impress on both children and their parents the importance of keeping reading skills sharp. A few months without the stimulation of books and reading can actually cause regression. To avoid a lag and catch-up pressure when September rolls around, experts in education say summer reading programs are key.
All the libraries in Centre County are involved with summer reading programs. Although some offerings are slightly different, the structures are the same. Each program encourages children, toddlers through teens, to read for fun during the summer while taking part in events and programs.
The Centre County Library’s program theme is “Build a Better World,” and all the programs relate to the theme in some manner. All branch libraries have preschool story times, baby and toddler summer reading, reading clubs and special activities for elementary school students and teens.
Summer reading kickoff events are planned for Centre Hall Library and Holt Memorial Library on Thursday, June 15, and Centre County Library in Bellefonte on Friday, June 16. All are part of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum.
Schlow Library started its summer reading programs June 1. Program information is available at www.schlowlibrary.org. Schlow is an agency of the Centre Region Council of Governments and serves the residents of State College Borough and College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris and Patton townships. All Centre County residents can use Schlow with library cards, which are free from any public library in the county.
All the libraries have incentives for their reading programs. Some award tickets that are good for prizes after a certain number of books read, while other programs award tickets for chances to win other prizes. The more kids read, the larger the prize possibility.
The libraries have log sheets to keep a record of how much a student reads, and there are ‘building projects” to participate in, too. Pick up a brochure about the “Build a Better World’ summer reading program at any branch library.
BOOKFEST SET FOR JULY 15
Since 2009, the Schlow Library has held BookFest, which has grown into a well-attended and appreciated event. This year BookFest is happening Saturday, July 15.
For the last two years, BookFest celebrated the comic book. This year, organizers have expanded their idea of having a central theme, and will feature the fiction genre, including romance, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, comics graphic novels, children’s fiction and more.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
A visit to the Centre Hall Branch Library found book lovers and teachers prepared for the summer as the facility celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The Centre Hall Library has three regular employees. Judy Gentyel, a circulation staff employee, has been working at the library since its opening. Kim Bair, branch manager, has been with the library since 2010. Lisa Shawver has been children’s librarian for more than four years.
“The library opened in June 1997 and I was the third person hired. I’ve been here ever since,” said Gentyel. “I like the people and I like what I do. People come in and I know them.”
Centre Hall Library definitely has a small-town feel that people appreciate.
When I was growing up, my small-town library was in a house. At lunch on certain days, we were allowed to leave school, walk to the library and sign out books. Although times have changed and children can no longer leave school unsupervised, the classes that come with their teachers from Centre Hall Elementary School have the same expectant attitude our group did. They are eager to pick books for themselves and explore the pages.
As the Centre Hall branch celebrates its 20th birthday, thanks are due to the many who helped establish and support it all these years.
