PRESS RELEASE

June 13, 2018

For Immediate Release

Long Beach’s Summer Reading Program Kicks Off June 16

The Long Beach Public Library will kick off its free Summer Reading Program (SRP) on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at the Michelle Obama Library, 5870 Atlantic Avenue. The community is invited to join the Library this summer and celebrate the transformative power of reading. This year’s theme, “Reading Takes You Everywhere,” conveys the idea that great stories have the special ability to “transport” even the most reluctant readers to places they could never imagine.

“We know that the benefits of summer reading are clear. Students who participate in library summer reading programs score higher on reading achievement tests when returning to school in the fall,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Our Library’s programs bridge the summer gap while inspiring literacy and a lifelong love of reading and learning – and they are tons of fun for the whole family.”

At the SRP kick-off event, attendees can:

• Register for the SRP starting at 10 a.m.

• Experience “Music with Nathalia," a bilingual music program, at 11 a.m. Nathalia’s South American heritage and passion for bilingual education has served as a major influence in the music she creates. From rock to cumbia, jazz to reggaetón, her songs are produced in a number of different musical styles and written with the whole family in mind.

• Participate in crafts & activities for kids of all ages at noon.

• Go on a musical adventure with “One Worth Rhythm,” at 1p.m. Get ready for a fun and unique experience playing various musical instruments while being guided through a series of musical activities!

Community members of all ages can participate in the SRP, which will run from June 16 through August 11, 2018. Residents can pick up a reading passport at any of the 12 Long Beach Public Libraries, read a bit every day, record “reading travels,” and report to the library each week to get a passport stamped and receive a small prize. With each week of reporting, readers will earn a ticket for a chance to win the Summer Reading grand prizes including Catalina Flyer tickets, a Nintendo Switch and four tickets for admission to a California theme park. The more participants read, the better their chances of winning.

“Every year the library offers an impressive array of free workshops and activities for Long Beach families and this year is no different,” said Glenda Williams, Director of Library Services. “Readers can experience the world and beyond through library books, movies, and music, many of which are available online and can be accessed from home.”

Special performances including magic shows, animal encounters, puppet shows and musical events, will be offered at every Long Beach Public Library branch during the summer. The public can visit the Library’s website at www.lbpl.org/SRP for a complete listing of summer events.

Residents are also encouraged to visit their local library and speak with a librarian, pick up a bookmark with library recommended reads, or check out the library’s website for reading lists for a variety of ages and interests. The Long Beach Public Library has something that appeals to everyone, from books and magazines to audiobooks, graphic novels and zines.

About Long Beach Public Library

Long Beach Public Library, founded in 1896, serves a diverse urban city of close to half a million people. The Long Beach Public Library system includes Main Library and eleven neighborhood libraries and a vibrant online presence. In summer of 2017, the Long Beach Public Library was awarded the National Medal for Library and Museum Services in recognition of successful community-collaborations, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and literacy-focused programs to the residents of Long Beach. With an emphasis on providing free and equal access to information and support for learning for a lifetime, the Library offers books, media, databases, Internet access, Family Learning Centers, makerspaces, and a variety of events ranging from story times to cultural programs.

For more information, visit www.lbpl.org, “Like” the Long Beach Public Library on Facebook, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

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