The Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library earned its distinction as a “Five-Star Library” because of the top quality programs and services it provides to its customers. During the months of July and August we offer an even greater array – especially for our younger visitors.
This season’s summer reading initiative, “Be Creative @ Your Library,” features programs that make reading fun for kids from infancy through high school. In fact, every year the Library awards a trophy to the school that has the highest percentage of its students reading three or more books over the course of the program. Old-Bethpage Elementary School, last year’s winner is angling to take the trophy for the second year and the competition is just beginning to heat up!
“Born to Read Infants” and “Born to Read Toddlers,” just added last summer, offer opportunities for parents to spend time reading to their little ones. Infants and toddlers who participate receive a fun-filled activity packet, a reading certificate, prizes and entry into a special raffle. Middle and High School students can read to win library dollars for use in the “library store.” Bring the summer reading packet to sleep away camp, return with book reports and qualify for a variety of special prizes until August 16 when the program ends. Playaways, audio books in an MP3 format, are also available for borrowing as summer reading selections.
Programs for children during the summer are also plentiful. New at the Library this summer is “Tail Waggin’ Reading Buddies,” a program in which children in grades 1-6 read to dogs. Register in the Family Center for your child’s special 15-minute slot with a gentle, attentive and fully licensed therapy dog.
If serving others is your focus this summer, join area teens as they cultivate vegetables in the Bea Shacknow Memorial Garden. This volunteer program is supervised by Mrs. Greco and Mrs. Zimmer who have planted beans, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers that, when harvested, will be donated to the Interfaith Nutrition Network. Earn community service credit for participation.
All summer reading participants have the opportunity of estimating the number of items in the “Guessing Jar,” a clear backpack filled with goodies. Winner takes all!
These are just a few of the programs and services that are available during July and August to entertain and educate Plainview-Old Bethpage kids, and all it takes is a library card to enter a world of adventure and knowledge!
