Gail Borden Public Library's summer reading challenge is fueling up at the station now as it prepares to take off on May 15. During this historic year, the reading program that starts on May 15 is linked to the Library's 150th anniversary highlighting the millions of readers and books that have connected through the Library. The "I think I can, I know I can, read," logo will encompass a child-sized train engine and coal car that will be at the Main Library all this summer as well as so much more.
Before describing all of fantastic events that the Library District has planned during this momentous summer of reading, it bears repeating why the Library is focusing so much on summer reading. There are numerous studies that talk about preventing "the summer slide" in reading skills for those young learners who do not read, but there are so many positives for those children who read. The American Library Association states these benefits as,
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"encouragement that reading become a lifelong habit
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reluctant readers can be drawn in by the activities
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reading over the summer helps children keep their skills up
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the program can generate interest in the library and books"
Strong advocate of summer reading, Carole Medal, Gail Borden Library CEO, said, "Reading propels kids to experience adventures, stories and imagination from wherever they are when they read their books. Also, worth stating, when the Library started 150 years ago, readers had about 2,000 books to choose from. Now this Library District has almost 330,000 printed books and access to 3.4 million eBook and eAudio titles. The Library even offers TumbleBooks, software that reads books to listeners. So we are confident that we have a book, an access format and library professionals to connect readers with material that will fascinate them."
And this summer, the Library is going full steam ahead to attract people to come in and join summer reading.
On Saturday, June 8 - 150th Old Towne Faire Summer Reading Kickoff
From 1- 5 pm, free to enter, there will be old fashioned games, prizes, food and fun. We anticipate that this will be the greatest fair in 150 years! People will enjoy tasty and free treats while supplies last. Ride the carousel, visit the petting zoo and play vintage games. Win fun prizes. AND PLEASE Sign up for the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge.
The Main Library will Host the Exhibit "150 Years of Gail Borden Library"
At the Main Library from June 4 – August 25, the Library will host the 150th exhibit that will feature fascinating stories and interactive activities about how the Library changed to meet the needs of the community. This exhibit will also highlight the role that the library has played in children’s reading and will include “Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites™“ from the Minnesota Children’s Museum.
Storyland uses three beloved children’s books to stimulate early literacy:The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter; The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats; and Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill.
Train - The Library will also host the free Bumblebee Express from 2 - 5:30 pm on Fridays - June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9 and August 23.
Don't miss this reading train! To sign up for summer reading on May 15 , learn more or print a reading log, please visit https://gailborden.info/read2024.
Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites™ was created by Minnesota Children’s Museum with support from the State of Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. © 2024 Minnesota Children’s Museum. All rights reserved.