New York Public Library Summer Reading Program Kicks Off With the NY Mets at Shea Stadium on June 17 at 12:30 p.m.

Two-Month Program Encourages Youth to Expand Their Minds

New York, NY, June 7, 2004 -- Summer is here and school is no longer in session, but that doesn't mean children and teens have to stop learning. The New York Public Library (NYPL) will kick off its Summer Reading program with the help of the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on Thursday, June 17 at 12:30 p.m. New York Mets Catcher Jason Phillips, Mets Pitcher Matt Ginter, along with the ever-popular Mr. Met, will read to about 100 school children from PS 102 on the field to reinforce the message that reading is not just a skill, but a pleasure to be enjoyed throughout life. Children's author Gordon Korman will also join in the festivities and will talk about his books, which include Radio Fifth Grade (Scholastic) and Nose Pickers from Outer Space (Hyperion). The press event/photo-op will conclude with a run around the bases. (Please note: this event is by invitation only and is not open to the public).

The recent news that thousands of third graders in New York City have failed their English tests is a reminder why the free Summer Reading Program at neighborhood libraries is so essential. Studies have shown that children who continue to read during the summer when school is not in session, read and perform better in the fall when school resumes. Children who participate in Summer Reading benefit from the many literacy-related activities offered and have opportunities to use computers, search the Internet and socialize with peers. The two-month Summer Reading program challenges students to continue their education through reading, writing and special programs.

"The Summer Reading Program is one of this City's most innovative popular activities for children," said Mary K. Conwell, Director of The Branch Libraries for NYPL. "It gives young people the opportunity to be in charge of their own pursuits, to explore their own interests, and to read just for fun in July and August." The NYPL Summer Reading Program encourages parents to become involved with their children's reading and plays an important role in the reading achievement of children who lack access to books and other reading materials in their daily lives.

Summer Reading Program
Children and teens in pre-K through 12th grade are encouraged to register at their local branch, pick up a free booklist and learn about the many special programs, discussion groups and workshops available. At the end of the summer, each library hosts a celebration to recognize those who have participated in the program.

"This year's theme is 'New York is Read, White & Blue' and we will use that theme to promote books by local authors and illustrators," said Margaret Tice, The New York Public Library's Coordinator of Children's Services. Incentives for the children include U.S. Flag flying rockets, Stars & Stripes gliders, U.S. Flag beach balls and red, white and blue sidewalk chalk.

The number of participants in NYPL's Summer Reading Program continues to grow each year. This year's outreach plan includes 300,000 postcards sent to children between the ages of five and eleven, and for the first time, the Library will send 220,000 postcards to teenagers between twelve and eighteen years of age.

"We do expect more teens to visit their neighborhood libraries as a result of the postcard appeal. It is not often that young people receive mail especially addressed to them," said Sandra Payne, Coordinator for Young Adult Services. "And this year with the reopening of Teen Central at the Donnell Library Center, 20 West 53rd Street, young people will discover a wonderful space of their own in midtown Manhattan. Teen Central, features books, magazines, DVDs, popular CDs, as well as special events and activities."

Teen Central is only one of many locations that will have programs specifically for teens this summer. The Summer Reading Program will host events geared to help teens read and write, as well as to make new friends along the way. Activities include a weekly Teen Advisory Group, films, poetry writing workshops, book discussion groups, and art workshops.

Throughout the summer there are also special programs scheduled for younger children including puppet shows, magicians, arts and crafts and, every Wednesday in July, Library storytellers in Central Park.

Children and teens can keep in touch with the program, even when they can't make it into their local library by visiting summerreading.nypl.org. There will also be computer workshops where children can explore the Summer Reading Website and learn how to send coded messages, e-cards, write poetry and/or reviews, and much more. Live online moderated chats will bring both children and teens together with some of their favorite writers including Walter Dean Myers (Monster) and Ann M. Martin (The Babysitters Club).

Support
For the past ten years the New York Mets have helped The New York Public Library launch its Summer Reading Program and this year is no exception. At the Kick-Off Celebration on June 17 at Shea Stadium, the New York Mets, in partnership with KeySpan Energy, will encourage children to register for the Summer Reading Program in all of New York City's public libraries. In addition, the Mets will donate over 4,000 tickets to the City's libraries for an August game at Shea Stadium, which children can win through drawings held at the branches.

Yahoo! is generously contributing funds for Summer Reading 2004. Support has also been provided in part by generous grants from the Hillandale Group of the Sulzberger Foundation and The Wallace Foundation. Scholastic, Inc. has provided 35,000 books for this year's program, and Radio Disney has agreed to provide the Young Adult portion of the Summer Reading Program with free gifts to distribute to participants, as well as a select number of larger gifts that young adult participants will be eligible to receive. The New York Post will once again support Summer Reading as the lead media sponsor, providing free space to promote Summer Reading 2004.

The 2004 New York City Summer Reading Program is jointly sponsored by The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Borough Public Library, and The New York City Department of Education, Office of School Library Services. The New York is Read, White & Blue theme is provided through Federal Library Service and Technology Act funds awarded to The New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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The New York Public Library offers a wide variety of free programs for adults, young adults, and children at all 85 of its branches, located throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Visit the Library's website at www.nypl.org for further information.

Contact: Jennifer Bertrand, Adrienne Poland, 212-704-8600.