Children's entertainer Zak Morgan will make his first visit to the Brentwood Library on June 17.

By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
Don’t declare books dead yet; especially children’s books. The Brentwood Library has kicked off its annual Summer Reading Program and children’s librarian Missy Dillingham says it’s just as popular as ever.

In fact, if you haven’t already registered for some of the programs being offered this summer, you’re out of luck. They are already filled. But there’s no limit on the number of books kids of all ages can read, and the special weekly performances require no pre-registration.

“This Christmas it seems like everybody got e-readers, but it hasn’t quite hit the younger set yet. I’m expecting that to come very soon, however,” said Dillingham, who admits she doesn’t yet have one of popular electronic readers.

“Children, however, still need that whole hand and eye coordination,” Dillingham said, seated in her office stacked high with books and more books in anticipation of the summer reading season.

Despite all of the distractions and activities that fill up children’s summers, the librarian says she still sees tons of kids who love to read.

This year’s program theme is One World, Many Stories.  Each child sets his or her own reading goal and may sign up to read as much as they wish.  Young children can be signed up as listeners. 

“I see kids who come in and want to read 100 books in a summer,” she says. “And, of course, there are some who don’t like to read and may read one.”

The goal of the program is to keep kids reading over the summer months, Dillingham said. In its most basic form, participants keep a list of books they read or are read to them.  At the end of the summer, children who have completed their goal receive a certificate and a special prize.

But the Brentwood Library offers many other opportunities and programs throughout the summer to help keep kids reading and entertained.

This year’s book clubs include the Mother Daughter Book Club which will read Portia’s Ultra Mysterious Double Life and Portia’s Exclusive and Confidential Rules on True Friendship by Anna Hayes. The Guys Read Book Club will read the Skeleton Creek series by Patrick Carman.  Registration is required for both.

Magician Scott Humston will present the first of 16 live performances at the library. Humston will appear at 1 and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7. He’s followed on Thursday, June 9, by Matt Fore, another magician whose show begins at 1 p.m.

For more information call the library at 371-0090 ext. 838 or click here.