• By Don Dwiggins
• Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Library Announces Summer Reading Details

The Forsyth County Public Library will officially kick-off our summer reading program Saturday, June 13th, from 10 am to 3 pm behind Central Library on 4 ½ street. This year’s children’s theme is “Be Creative.” Performing again this year is the Library’s ultra-talented youth services staff who will keep the fun and frivolity rolling with hilarious skits, sing-along songs and fascinating stories. Captain Jim, the pirate magician, will also be on hand offering up several incredible magical illusions to young and old alike. Captain Jim’s show is sure to amaze, entertain and inspire. There will also be free popcorn and shaved ice for everyone.

Scheduled to perform at libraries throughout our system again this year is the popular music group Big Bang Boom. What happens when professional musicians become parents? They play and write children's music. This is the path taken by Big Bang Boom, a children's music group from Greensboro. Big Bang Boom plays some children's favorites as well as their own original songs for kids. (See performance schedule below.)

Kids, teens, and adults, all are welcome and encouraged to take part in our summer reading program. Kids who sign up will be given a reading log to track the number of hours they read from the kick-off through the conclusion of summer reading on July 25th. Once reading logs are completed, they can be redeemed for prizes at your local Forsyth County Public Library location. Children too young to read can still participate by counting the hours they are read to by an adult or older sibling. Once their log is complete they can also take them to their local library and redeem them for prizes.

Teens, we haven’t forgotten about you either. What a wonderful and exciting summer program we have planned for teens this summer. Illustrator & author Ben Towle and Poet Terri Erickson are scheduled to perform at locations throughout the Library system. We will also host chainsaw artist Randy Everett at Central Library on July 10th @ 2:00 p.m. Check out the teen web calendar for more programs, dates and times.

For adults the Library again offers “Summer Sizzles,” a self-paced adult summer reading program for people in Forsyth County age 18 and older. You may read or listen to any books you choose, whether library materials or other. Pick up your reading log at any Forsyth County Library location. After completing six titles, take your reading log to any Forsyth County Public Library location and receive a prize and the chance to win a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card, a tote bag or our grand prize of a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Summer reading for kids, teens and adults begins June 13th and ends July 25th. Reading logs may be picked up beginning June 13th and must be turned in by July 25th to be eligible for prizes. Call 703-3040 for more information. Central Library is located at 660 W. Fifth Street in Winston-Salem.

Scheduled performances by Big Bang Boom
Lewisville: Monday, June 15 at 10:00 am
Reynolda: Tuesday, June 16 at 3:00 pm
Walkertown: Thursday, July 9 at 3:00 pm
East Winston: Wednesday, July 15 at 2:00 pm
Rural Hall: Thursday, July 16 at 11:00 am
Clemmons: Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 pm
Central: Tuesday, July 21 at 1:30 pm
Kernersville: Wednesday, July 22 at 2:00 pm
Carver: Thursday, July 23 at 1:00 pm
Southside: Friday, July 24 at 11:00 am

Illustrator Ben Towle
6/29 @ 11 am at Walkertown Branch
7/8 @ 11 am at Southside Branch
7/15 @ 11 am at Malloy Jordan East Winston Heritage Center

Poet Terri Erickson
6/17 @ 1:30 pm at Reynolda Manor Branch
6/24 @ 1:30 pm at Kernersville Branch
7/15 @ 1:30 pm at Carver School Road Branch
7/22 @ 1:30 pm at Clemmons Branch