PCPL: Where reading, healthy choices and fun combine

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Published: Friday, 15 August 2014 13:11

Point summaries, prizes and pizza were just a few things available to the over 200 participants and family members who attended this year’s Pulaski County Public Library Children’s Summer Reading Program Party for "Fizz, Boom, Read and Spark a Reaction."

The PCPL Reading Room was filled to capacity Wednesday evening (Aug. 6), as all program participants received a free book and enjoyed a presentation of this year’s programs. During the celebration, attendees watched a video starring program participants and even parents attending were entered into drawing for State Fair tickets and other various prizes. 

Summer Reading: One of the most popular and successful programs at the Pulaski County Public Library is its annual summer reading program. This summer 433 children, teens and adults participated at the PCPL's Winamac and Medaryville libraries. Over 200 of the participants attended the summer-end celebration Wednesday with prizes, activities and a pizza party.

Children who had the most points accumulated received top reading prizes in each of their age groups before enjoying a great treat. For the Fizz, Boom, Read program, in the 3 to 5 year-old range, the prize went to Chanisty Antrim with 253 points. In the 6-8 year-old, it was Dravin Chambers with 502 points. For the 9-10 year-olds, Chandler Antrim had 335 points and for the 11-12 year-olds, with 291, it was Danyel Stalbaum. For the teen program-Spark a Reaction, with 294 points in the 13 to 15 year-old range it was Dakota Jackson and for reading 316 points in the 16-18 range, Russell Meaux received the prize. 

Before trekking outside for a party complete with chips, vegetables and delicious pizza, a grand prize winner was announced for each program. For Fizz, Boom, Read, Noah Garner received a huge basket complete with theater tickets, art supplies and other great goodies donated by local businesses. The grand prize winner for the Spark a Reaction program, Russell Meaux, received a basket complete with USB port speaker, theater tickets, gift certificates and book bag.

Interestingly, the combined points for both of the 2014 Children’s Reading programs exceeded over 25,000 points which increased from last year’s program of around 21,000. Events available to children, in addition to normally scheduled programs throughout this summer, included make homemade ava lamps, catapults, Oobleck, slime and marshmallow shooters.

Summer readers attended a day playing games teaching them about eating healthy and staying hydrated presented by the Healthworks Museum. Museum facilitators talked with kids about the importance of having a healthy heart and lungs, and also gave members a chance to visit the Hummer emphasizing the Amazing Human Body and the importance of making healthy choices.

Also this summer, readers had the opportunity to learn about landfills and what types of recycling helps the environment the most with programs presented by the Solid Waste District.

As always, The Pulaski County Public Library programs are completely free for patrons and are an excellent way to keep kids engaged and more importantly become life-long readers!