New York City's Public Libraries Launch Summer Reading 2007 with Free Outdoor Celebration on June 7 at Bronx Library Center

Event Features New York Mets Catcher Paul Lo Duca, Live Music, Costumed Characters and More

Harry Potter Knight Bus Onsite for Fans to Visit

Mr. Met

New York's three public library systems, Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Library, will launch the 2007 citywide Summer Reading campaign with a free outdoor celebration at The New York Public Library's Bronx Library Center on Thursday, June 7, beginning at noon. The Bronx Library Center is located at 310 East Kingsbridge Road (at Briggs Avenue). Patrons may register for Summer Reading at the event.

The event will feature an appearance by New York Mets All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca, who is this year's Summer Reading spokesperson and will officially launch registration for the Summer Reading program. The New York Mets have been longtime supporters of Summer Reading, providing tickets to home games, the time of their star players, and other incentives to help generate interest in reading among kids and other library users.

The most magical moment of the kick off event will be the arrival of the Scholastic Harry Potter Knight bus, to celebrate the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final book in the best-selling series by J.K. Rowling, which will release at 12:01 a.m on July 21st, 2007. Lucky fans may board the bus to make 30 second videos about why they love Harry Potter. Select videos will be featured on the official Harry Potter website. Preregistration is required. For more information call 718-579-4220.

Howard Fishman and the Biting Fish Band, and costumed characters Mr. Met and Fortitude, the Library Lion, will also provide entertainment.

About the Summer Reading Program
Summer Reading is an annual program designed to make reading activities exciting and appealing to all people and to encourage them to read throughout the summer. Several research studies have shown that students who read during the summer months do better academically the following school year.

Adults, children, and teens 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.

Patrons can keep in touch with the program, even when they can't make it into their local library by visiting www.summerreading.org.

The 2007 Summer Reading Program is presented by Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library and Queens Library in partnership with The New York City Department of Education, School Library Services, Division of Teaching and Learning.

The 2007 Summer Reading program is sponsored citywide by The New York Mets, Scholastic and The Wallace Foundation. This program is supported in part by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Brooklyn Public Library's Summer Reading Program is partially funded through the generous support of the New York City Council through its Cultural After-School Adventure Fund, our leading sponsors HIP and North Fork Foundation and Team Marbury Charitable Foundation. Additional support is provided by Altman Foundation, The Hurford Foundation, KeySpan Foundation and The Starr Foundation. This program is also supported in part by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. In-kind support is provided by The New York Mets and Scholastic.

The New York Public Library's Summer Reading Program is partially funded by The Rona Jaffe Foundation, the Hurford Foundation, the New York City Council through its Cultural After-School Adventure Fund, Federal Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) funds and the friends of the Webster Branch. Additional support is provided by AmericanGirl (logo) and Scholastic (logo).

Queens Library's Summer Reading Program is partially funded by The Orchard Foundation, Astoria Federal Savings, Con Edison and Target.

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Contact :             Nadia Riley   212.592.7711       

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