Summer reading programs highlight character, Egypt

MAT-SU — Each year, more than 1,000 Valley students participate in summer reading programs in libraries around the Valley. This year, "Color my World with Character" is the theme, and some libraries are taking it a step further.

• Wasilla Public Library is taking to the road this year, as its summer reading program's theme is "Reading Road Trip U.S.A." A sub-theme is "Heroes Along the Way."

At Wasilla Public Library, incentive programs are aimed to get students reading about local heroes, as well as heroes from other parts of the country.

"The younger students can read about heroes in magazines, in newspapers or on the Internet," librarian Cathy Petrie said. "One of the challenges of the program is to read about a hero in as many states as they can."

Craft projects are limited at Wasilla Public Library, but a few are planned for the summer readers. A mural project is being planned, as well as a library-related scavenger hunt.

There is a weekly story time activity in the works, with volunteers from the community coming to the library to read books to the audience.

The Wasilla reading program starts June 12 and runs through Aug. 4. Registration begins June 12, and students can sign up for six more weeks. Prizes are available after the first two weeks of the program.

The program closes with a huge banana split party, complete with little flags bearing character attributes.

• Palmer Public Library is going back to the past for its summer reading program. "Eyes on Egypt" is the theme in Palmer, and the library will also be stressing character through workshops and crafts.

Through the "Eyes on Egypt" program, summer readers will benefit from nearly 40 books that are being purchased for the library.

Every Tuesday, starting June 12, crafts relating to ancient Egypt will be offered at the library. Summer crafts include sandals, sugar pyramids, papyrus making, scrolls and hieroglyphics, making books, "digging it up," and making pharaoh's jewels.

"We really want to encourage the kids to keep coming to the library throughout the summer," said librarian Candy Kopperud. "They really like the crafts, and the crafts lead to reading for them. After they make paper, they can read more about it in the library."

At the Palmer Public Library, the staff looks at what area of the library could use a boost, and designs the summer reading program around it. This year, they decided to add 40 items to the library's ancient Egypt collection.

Every Thursday, starting June 14, "Character Counts in our Community" will bring one member of the community into the library to talk about their profession, and how it relates to character.

A race car driver will talk about sportsmanship, for example, while a policeman will talk about citizenship. A craft relating to the character attribute will also be offered.

The Thursday events are geared to children ages 5-9, Kopperud said.

Students who participate in the summer program also can receive prizes for the amount of time they read, and receive tickets good for drawings for prizes. "An Egyptian Extravaganza" is being planned for July 31 to finish the program.

Registration for the Palmer Public Library program runs from June 11-July 14. For more information, interested people may contact the library at 745-4690.

• Sutton Public Library is also gearing up for a summer of reading through the "Color my World with Character" program. Like many of the public libraries, one highlight of the program is hosting storyteller Colleen Sutherland, who is coming from Wisconsin to tell stories to children.

Each week, something new will be stressed at Sutton Public Library.

"We are going to have a ‘Color my World with Art' project, and a ‘Color my World with Magic' project for the kids," librarian Nancy Bertels said. "When the kids are out of school, we like to keep up with their reading through fun things like storytellers and craft projects. The summer reading program gives local kids something productive to do when they are bored."

One of the first events of the summer is a book swap for kids. The June 28 event gives students a chance to trade books and participate in an origami craft. The library will provide refreshments.

Every Friday, crafts will be offered in conjunction with the program.

On Aug. 2, Don Russell will visit Sutton to dazzle readers with his magic tricks. Bertels said it will be one of the summer highlights.

In addition to the summer reading program, Sutton Public Library is offering a prereaders' program for the younger children.

Every Thursday morning, crafts and programming geared toward young children, who need to be read to instead of reading themselves, will be offered. On June 28, Smokey the Bear is visiting participants of the prereaders program.

Registration for the summer reading program starts on June 21. For more information, interested people may contact the Sutton Public Library at 745-4467.

• Trapper Creek Public Library is still lining up the specifics of its summer reading program, but librarian Jennie Ellis said she expects between 15 and 20 participants once again this year.

Trapper Creek is not a borough library, but it is participating in the "Color my World with Character" program. It will have a display set up detailing the virtues of different characteristics, and many books dealing with character will be offered through the program. There are a number of other reading opportunities at the library as well.

"We run our reading program through mid-August, which is later than the rest of the libraries," Ellis said. "We work with the borough libraries as much as we can, but we do things differently as well."

Students keep track of their reading time, and earn prizes for their efforts. Ellis said the rewards are a big part of getting kids to read during the summer.

"They get certificates to go across the street to the Trapper Creek Inn, and that really motivates them," Ellis said. "They know they can get an ice cream cone or a candy bar if they read enough."

For more information about Trapper Creek Public Library's program, interested people may call 733-1546.