Summer Reading Hops, Flies and Slithers to a Library Near You

For at least 20 years the Wayne County Public Library has been helping children and families beat summer boredom with their annual Summer Reading Club.

This year is no exception as the WCPL begins Paws, Claws, Scales, and Tales; the library's 2006 Summer Reading Club. Kids and adults alike will enjoy a summer filled with animals of all kinds. Kids will enjoy a Pet Shop theme while adults welcome a more grown up zoo related motif. Registration began on May 22nd and continued all day at any Wayne County library branch including their volunteer site in West Salem and Bookmobile stops.

To get the summer off to a roaring start, a kick off party was held on May 22nd at the Wooster branch. Patrons enjoyed refreshments, participated in games and crafts, and watched a live animal show featuring Outback Ray and some exotic animals. Don't worry about missing out on Registration if you missed it, you can still sign up until August 12th at any WCPL branch and bookmobile stop.

In addition to the kick off party, the WCPL has added some changes to its summer reading club. This year, they will have a different animal related program throughout the summer months at the main branch in Wooster. The Wilderness Center paid a visit this week and featured those often-misunderstood winged mammals in "Going Batty". Come back on July 24th, when the Akron Zoo stops by to feature mommies and baby animals in their "Parental Care" program. As the summer winds down in August, The Wilderness Center will be back on the 12th to tell guests about some "Amazing Animals". All programs are sure to be a hit with audiences both young and old. Also starting the first week in June, story time will move to Thursdays at 2pm when everyone can escape the summer heat and enjoy a family oriented movie and free refreshments.

Children who participate this summer can earn bookmarks, coupons for kids meals, miniature golf passes, paperback books and other prizes. To earn prizes, children will be able to chart their reading time and/or books read on a progress sheet, which they can pick up at any branch. Once they have completed the sheet, return it to the library for a prize or coupon. Adults also have the chance to earn prizes by entering their name into a drawing each time they take out or return books to the library. Each branch of the library will have prizes on hand for those participating this summer, including all bookmobile stops and West Salem volunteer site. Prize pick-up begins on Tuesday, May 30th through Thursday, August 31st.

If you've never had a library card before you can get one by coming into any library branch with some type of identification and filling out an application. If you've lost your card, you can get a new one for only fifty cents or for seventy-five cents get a wallet and key chain card. However, you only need a library card if you want to check out materials. To find out more information about the summer reading club or how to obtain a library card, you can call any library branch or the main library at 330-262-0916 ext. 221. The library encourages everyone to come and sign up for the summer reading club; it is sure to be howling good time!