Children, teens and adults are encouraged to keep the pages turning with the 2016 Summer Reading Program.
The free annual program is ongoing May 31-Aug. 6. To sign up, children and teens, ages newborn to 17, and adults can register at any Tulsa City-County Library or online at www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer – no library card required!
Sign up by June 30 and be entered in a drawing for a family four pack of OKC Thunder family tickets for their Oct. 13 exhibition game at Tulsa’s BOK Center.
Tulsa Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett has issued a friendly challenge to mayors in Skiatook, Sand Springs, Sperry, Collinsville, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Glenpool, Jenks and Bixby to see which community can have the highest percentage of children enrolled in Tulsa City-County Library’s Summer Reading Program. The winning community will receive a special plaque to display for the year, as well as bragging rights for earning the distinction as a community of active readers.
Several Tulsa City-County Libraries are hosting summer reading kickoff parties where readers can celebrate with games, books and fun. Locations include:
- May 27, 4:30-5:45 p.m., Kendall-Whittier Library, 21 S. Lewis
- May 31, 2-3 p.m., Schusterman-Benson Library, 3333 E. 32nd Place
- May 31, 6:30-8 p.m., Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road
- June 2, 2-3 p.m., Kishner Library, 10150 N. Cincinnati Ave. E., Sperry
- June 4, 1-3 p.m., Glenpool Library, 730 E. 141st St.
- June 4, 2-3:30 p.m., Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St.
- June 6, 4-5 p.m., Jenks Library, 523 W. B. St.
The summer reading program is a fun way to keep students reading throughout the summer to help retain and improve their reading skills. The program goes beyond the books by offering hundreds of free programs that will expand the imagination. Performers and presenters from Tulsa, Oklahoma and across the U.S. participate to help bring books to life. Children, as well as adults, will enjoy performances from Sugar Free Allstars, Big Bang Boom Band, The Que Pastas, Jack and Kitty Norton, Monty Harper, Lucky Diaz, Tommy Terrific and many more entertaining and educational performers.
The theme for the children’s program is “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read” and the tween/teen program theme is “Get in the Game – Read.”
Free coupons include:
- Admission to Oklahoma Aquarium
- Admission to Tulsa Zoo
- Admission to Tulsa Air and Space Museum
- Admission to Tulsa Drillers game
- Admission to Tulsa State Fair
- Admission to Tulsa Children’s Museum
- Admission to Tulsa Roughnecks FC game
- Cinnamon sticks from Mazzio’s Italian Eatery
- Round-trip bus ride on Tulsa Transit
- 4-piece Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s
- Frozen custard scoop from Freckles Frozen Custard
- Chicken nuggets from Wendy’s
- Original glazed doughnut from Krispy Kreme
- Decorated cookie from Merritt’s Bakery
- Garlic Knots from Papa John’s
Tweens and teens, having completed fifth grade, can reach their goal by reading six books throughout the summer. By completing the program, they will earn a coupon booklet for free entertainment and food items, as well as a well as an ID wallet with earbuds. Free coupons include:
- Admission to the Tulsa Zoo
- Admission to the Tulsa State Fair
- Admission to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum
- Admission to a Tulsa Drillers game
- Admission to a Tulsa Roughnecks FC game
- Cinnamon sticks from Mazzio’s Italian Eatery
- 6-piece Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s
- Chicken nuggets from Wendy’s
- Frozen custard scoop from Freckles Frozen Custard
- Original glazed doughnut from Krispy Kreme
- Decorated cookie from Merritt’s Bakery
- Round-trip bus ride on Tulsa Transit
- Garlic Knots from Papa John’s
A grand-prize drawing for teens and tweens includes $100 gift cards to area merchants, laptops, Android tablets and other cool prizes.
Writing workshops, jewelry crafting and STEM programs are planned to keep the tweens and teens learning while they are having fun. Throughout the summer professionals will help them explore concepts in illustration, writing and science.
Adults can demonstrate that reading is not work by joining the adult summer reading program, “Exercise Your Mind. Read!” to model how reading can be fun and relaxing. Adults can complete the program by reading or listening to four books to earn free treats from Kripsy Kreme Doughnuts, Mazzio’s, Merritt’s Bakery, Panera and Wendy’s, plus earn a cool Tulsa City-County Library messenger bag.
Thank you to the 2016 summer reading program presenting sponsors: Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Tulsa Library Trust, Tulsa’s Channel 8, TulsaKids Magazine, Tulsa Drillers, Tulsa Roughnecks and Tulsa State Fair. With their support, families can enjoy the free summer reading program and spend quality time together locally while young readers gain a sense of accomplishment.
For a complete list of summer reading program prizes, programs and details visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer or call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323.
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