By A.J. Harris
BLOOMINGTON – For many people, the love of reading begins when they are children, and it is often thanks to programs such as the Bloomington Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, which held its annual kickoff party yesterday.
The event was attended by over 350 people, and the BPL added a nighttime party as well to accommodate the kids from Unit 5 that were still in school because of snow days.
Activities at the party included professional story tellers Mike Lockett and the Twin City Tale Spinners, a dance performance by the Impact Dance Theatre, Walkabout Puppets with Clothspin Puppets, craft stations, art, music, and so on.
“We tried to offer a little bit of everything,” says Children’s Librarian Jesse Wyer.
The overall purpose of the Summer Reading Program, which offers prizes for completion, is to get kids excited about reading.
“We try to bridge the summer reading gap and promote a lifelong love of learning,” Wyer adds. “The community support has been great, with lots of families participating and lots of local organizations sponsoring reading prizes for the kids.”
It isn’t just kids that can benefit from the reading program, as adults are welcome and encouraged to sign up as well, with a completely different list of completion prizes.
For sign up information, and a complete list of prizes, visit the BPL’s website at www.bloomingtonlibrary.org.
The program runs through July 29.
A.J. Harris can be reached at [email protected]
