| Librarians go to great heights and depths to encourage reading |
| July 26, 2010 |
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Once again the librarians at Omaha Public Library are going to great lengths to get kids to read this summer. The Summer Reading Program water theme, ‘Make a Splash” and “Make Waves at your Library,” has spurred creative thinking on the part of Omaha kids and teens as they meet their librarians’ challenges to read. Kids’ librarian Nancy Chmiel accepted the challenge to spend the night on the roof at Saddlebrook Branch if kids read 20,000 books. The Saddlebrook kids have risen to the challenge and read more than 27,000 books. Nancy will display her courage by climbing a ladder to the Saddlebrook Branch roof, 14850 Laurel Ave., on Thursday, July 29, at 7 p.m. She will be armed with a super soaker to drench any passerby who won’t let her get her beauty sleep. She will spend the night on the roof and come down the following morning at 10 a.m. Kids and their families are welcome to support Nancy as she climbs to the roof and to keep her company on the ground throughout the night. Teen librarian Kris Cram at A.V. Sorensen Branch could be dunked in a dunk tank hundreds of times because she has agreed that each teen who reads three books will be able to throw a ball to dunk her. Several of Kris’ teens have read over 100 books this summer. Kris will be ready to take her falls during the branch finale party on Saturday, July 31, 1-3:15 p.m., at A.V. Sorensen Branch, 4808 Cass St. During the Summer Reading Program finale party on Saturday, July 31, 3 p.m., at Charles B. Washington Branch, 2868 Ames Ave., teens will have a chance to see really wet librarians. Either teen librarian Russ Harper or library specialist Alonzo Adams will be dunked in a dunk tank by members of the winning reading team. This is the last week of the Summer Reading Program and there is still time for all of Omaha to read and have fun. “For the first time, adults can join the program by reading or listening to books and have a chance to win the grand prize of an iPad and other prizes,” said library executive director Gary Wasdin. “Although summer is winding down, there is still time to sign up for the Summer Reading Program online at omahalibrary.org or at your local Library. The program ends on July 31, so register today, read at least one book before July 31, and you'll be eligible for the prize drawings.” A finale party on Sunday, Aug. 1, 1-4 p.m. at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo will celebrate the end of the Summer Reading Program. The final event is Library Night at the Royals baseball game at Rosenblatt Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 8, 6:05 p.m. Kids and teens may earn tickets to both events by registering and reading books by July 31. Sponsors of the Summer Reading Program include: Sokolof Foundation, Bluestem Foundation, Target Stores, Security National Bank, US Bank, First National Bank, the Omaha Public Library Foundation and Friends of Omaha Public Library. Partners include: Applebee’s, City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Department, CoCo Key Water Resort, Family Fun Center, Fat Brain Toys, Jason’s Deli, Lansky’s, Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha Royals, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Papio Fun Park, SkateDaze, Sonic, Sun Dawgs, That Pottery Place, The Rose Theater, Village Inn, Zzzap! and WOWT Channel 6. Visit omahalibrary.org for information about programs at Omaha Public Library’s twelve metro locations. |
