Dream Big: READ! @ your library this summer!

by Tonia Burton

The librarians in the Monroe County Library System is counting down the days until school is out. Why? It’s the most wonderful time of the year for children’s and young adult librarians!  We have been busy planning great programs...like Tops Cooking schools, The Mobile Dome Planetarium, or the Omnipresent Puppet Theatre.  

For a listing of our programs visit www.libraryweb.org.

More than just great summer programming at the library!

Of course,there is more to summer than just our programs! Monroe County Libraries are famous for our great FREE books! We have funny books, mystery books, scary books, books about how to juggle or garden, books about cooking. You name it--and one of the 33 public libraries in Monroe County will have it!

Helping kids read more in the summer

Have kids who don’t love reading? It’s not just our job to find every child a book to enjoy, it’s our passion! Because most school libraries are not open in the summer, your local library is prepared to assist you and your children in finding great books to read.

We also have some great incentives to get kids to read even more! This year, children who register at their local library may be entered to family four packs of tickets to: Genesee Country Village, Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester Museum & Science Center; free book and more.

Tips for parents

We know that’s not always easy getting your children to read. Here are some things that may help:

1. Let your child pick out the book. It sounds simple, but it’s true. Nobody wants to be told what to read.

2. Read with your children. Read at the same time, if possible or read a book together. Talk about what you are each reading.

3. Seek the help of a children’s librarian for book suggestions.

(More info to come for the other libraries!)

Tonia Burton is the Children’s Services Consultant for the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County.