Local libraries are offering a variety of programs, workshops and summer reading programs to get children to turn off the television and turn on a summer-long adventure.
With many parents feeling the squeeze of tough economic times, library officials say summer reading programs are needed more than ever.
Events like a musical hour with local musician Gary Van Slyke scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Johnstown Public Library offer entertainment at no charge.
Other events like "Soapy Fun," scheduled for Friday morning at the Johnstown Library, will provide an educational experience for children as they add color to clear glycerin soap and craft the soap into marine animal shapes.
Many of the events require preregistration, so people interested in a program may want to call their library of choice in advance.
As part of the "Make a Splash" summer reading program, children can pick up cards to keep track of how much they read. Once they reach a certain mark, they win a prize like Subway or McDonald's coupons at the Johnstown Library, and a free kids meal from the Applebee's Book Worm Club at the Gloversville Public Library.
At Gloversville, children can visit the library and pick up a drawstring bag for their books with a card for the Applebee's reading club for children 10 years old and younger.
"We want to thank the children for their summer reading with the bags," said Nancy Cole, who works part time at the Gloversville Library.
The Johnstown Library's Children's Program Coordinator Valerie Rogers said the programs allow children to read what they like, which promotes reading as a leisure activity.
"It keeps the kid's reading skills up during the summer where being away from school, their reading level might diminish," Rogers said.
For children who missed programs at the Johnstown Library like "Splash into New York State Water Science," with Carol Smalley, they will have another chance at the Gloversville Library from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 11.
A teen group called the Bibliomaniacs meet regularly at the Gloversville Library. The group is focused on discussion and there is no required reading.
This past week, the Tang Teaching Museum of Skidmore College presented the "Flip Flop Flippers" workshop at the Johnstown Library. The activity, which included decorating a flip-flop, was inspired by a sculpture made of flippers by Cuban artist duo Los Carpinteros.
The Gloversville Library will host the same workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 4.
Rogers said the library sees about 300 children register by the end of the summer.
Right now, she said, registration is at about 235 children. The library provides a link for registration at www.johnstownpubliclibrary.info, or registration is available at the library.
"It's kind of a family thing where parents and their children come in and they do crafts and games and keep track of their reading," Rogers said.
Andrew Albertson, the curator of education and public programs at the Arkell Museum, which houses the Canajoharie Library, said events in the summer reading program are more important than ever as parent's search for ways to tighten their spending.
"The amount of resources available at the library is incredible. There are movies, books, magazines, data bases, art, and all you have to do is get a [library] card," Albertson said.
He said in the last few years the library has seen patronage increase.
"I think it's a direct connection to what's going on in the economy and the cost of entertainment and families not being able to travel as much," Albertson said.
On Saturday, the library offered a "Magic Bubble" show in the Arkell Museum's Great Hall. Jeff Boyer's show taught children all about bubbles. At the end, he placed a member of the audience inside a giant bubble.
The "Make a Splash" reading program is a coordinated summer library program throughout the United States. Its theme is different each year.
The libraries get their funding for the programs through several avenues that vary based on the library.
Usually the libraries are able to secure federal library service and technology act funds that are awarded to the state and distributed through the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.
For more information, call a local library or visit www.summerreadingnys.org
