Children, teens and adults are encouraged to keep the pages turning with the 2017 Summer Reading Program, “Build a Better World.”
The free annual program is ongoing May 30-Aug. 5. To sign up, children and teens, newborn to 17, and adults can register at any Tulsa City-County Library or online at www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer.
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 to expand the imagination. Performers and presenters from Tulsa and across the U.S. participate to help bring books to life. Children, as well as adults, will enjoy performances from Sugar Free Allstars, Mr. Stinky Feet, Jack and Kitty Norton, Monty Harper, Lucky Diaz, Tommy Terrific and many more entertaining and educational performers.
By visiting the library four times and reading eight books, children will earn a medal of achievement and a coupon booklet for free food and entertainment. By reading 12 more books for a total of 20, children will earn a bonus prize: birth to pre-K receive a Jacob’s Ladder toy and children in kindergarten-5th grade receive a plush beaver toy.
Food and entertainment 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 Discovery Lab
· Admission to Tulsa Roughnecks FC game
· Cinnamon sticks from Mazzio’s Italian Eatery
· Round-trip bus ride on Tulsa Transit
· Frozen custard scoop from Freckles Frozen Custard
· Original glazed doughnut from Krispy Kreme
· Decorated cookie from Merritt’s Bakery
· Garlic Knots from Papa John’s
· Cake pop from Central Library Starbucks
Children completing the program are entered in an end-of-summer drawing for these great prizes:
· (8) Bicycle with helmet, provided by the Friends of the Helmerich Library, with special assistance from Phat Tire Bike Shop.
· Hornsby Birthday Party Experience courtesy of the Tulsa Drillers
· Tulsa Roughnecks FC voucher for 2017 Family Stand tickets (10 included) to any regular season home game, provided by the Tulsa Roughnecks FC
· Season tickets for a family of four to the Imagination Series, provided by the Tulsa Performing arts Center Trust
· (6) Fishing with News on 6 meteorologist Dick Faurot, plus fishing gear, with special assistance from Five Oaks Lodge
· Family membership to the Oklahoma Aquarium
· Aviator (Family) membership to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum
· (10) Small one-topping pizza, provided by Papa John’s
· (25 pairs) Tulsa State Fair Mega Ride Pass wristband. The ride wristband includes unlimited rides for all 11 days of the 2017 Tulsa State Fair, Sept. 28-Oct. 8, as well as gate admission. All midway rides are included; excludes extreme rides.
· (100) Zax Kidz Meal, provided by Zaxby’s
· Set of four tickets to OKC Thunder preseason game vs. the Houston Rockets at the BOK Center on Oct. 3
· Nike backpack, provided by Chris Harris Jr. Foundation
· $75 Chick-fil-A gift card, provided by Chris Harris Jr. Foundation.
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 wooden tower game. Free coupons include:
· Admission to the Tulsa Zoo
· Admission to the Tulsa State Fair
· Admission to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum
· Admission to Discovery Lab
· Admission to a Tulsa Drillers game
· Admission to a Tulsa Roughnecks FC game
· Cinnamon sticks from Mazzio’s Italian Eatery
· 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
Teens/tweens completing the program are entered in an end-of-summer drawing for these great prizes:
· Xbox One S console
· (2) Laptop
· (2) Android tablet
· (2) $25 Amazon gift card
· (2) $25 Target gift card
· (2) $50 Amazon gift card
· (2) $50 Target gift card
· $100 Best Buy gift card
· $100 Barnes & Noble gift card
· Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 instant film camera
· Set of four tickets to OKC Thunder preseason game vs. the Houston Rockets at the BOK Center on Oct. 3
· Kindle, provided by Chris Harris Jr. Foundation
· Beats headphones, provided by Chris Harris Jr. Foundation
· Nike backpack, provided by Chris Harris Jr. Foundation
· $75 Chick-fil-A gift card, provided by Chris Harris Jr. Foundation
Writing workshops, jewelry crafting and STEM programs are planned to keep these young adults learning while they are having fun. Throughout the summer professionals will help them explore concepts in illustration, writing and science.
Adults can model how reading is a fun and relaxing activity by joining the adult summer reading program. Adults can complete the program by reading or listening to four books to earn free treats from Kripsy Kreme Doughnuts, Mazzio’s, Starbucks, Merritt’s Bakery and their own wooden tower game.
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum 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.
Thank you to the 2017 summer reading program presenting sponsors: Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Tulsa Library Trust, Tulsa’s Channel 8, TulsaKids Magazine, Raymond and Bessie Kravis Foundation, Williams, Tulsa Zoo, A Gathering Place for Tulsa, 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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