TCCL News & Events

Tulsa City-County Library’s 2009 summer reading program for children is set to thrill imaginations and reward readers. This year’s theme is “Be Creative @ Your Library.”

Families are invited to a special summer reading program kickoff at the Tulsa Zoo, Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon. Children who sign up for the program at the library booth receive free zoo admission. Meet Buddy Bookworm, see his zoo friends and enjoy different activities throughout the morning.

The summer reading program is ongoing May 18-Aug. 2. The Tulsa Library Trust, NewsChannel 8, Tulsa Zoo and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries are the presenting sponsors.

The annual program is a fun way to keep kids reading throughout the summer and help them retain reading skills they learned during the school year. Young children may participate by having books read to them.

“The truly wonderful thing about the summer reading program is that it encourages children to read for the fun of it. School is out for the summer, and this is their chance to explore books that catch their attention and capture their imagination,” said Emily Tichenor, TCCL children’s services coordinator. “The summer reading program is a great way for children to earn cool prizes, participate in fun activities and also strengthen reading skills.”

To get started, pick up a reading log for your child at any of TCCL’s 25 locations in Tulsa County. Children will use the reading log to record the titles of the books they read and the visits they make to the library during the summer.

By visiting the library four times and reading eight books, children will complete the program and earn a medal of achievement and a booklet of coupons for free entertainment and food items throughout the area.

Plus, medal winners who have completed kindergarten or are in first through fifth grade may enter a drawing for exciting prizes like bicycles with helmets, a fishing trip including gear, and other fun and educational prizes.

The program culminates with the Tulsa Library Trust’s Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature presentation to Newbery Medal-winning author Christopher Paul Curtis. He will receive the 2009 Zarrow award at 7 p.m. on Aug. 28 at Central Library, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue. Curtis will present awards to winners of the library’s 2009 Young People’s Creative Writing Contest on Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. at Connor’s Cove, Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 E. 93rd St.

Throughout the summer, families can enjoy free programs at local libraries that are sure to thrill imaginations and encourage lifelong learning. Look for performances from drummer Arthur Thompson, cartoonist Steve Quinn, Sugar Free Allstars and Wild Goose Chase Puppet Theater from North Carolina.

For more information on TCCL’s summer reading program, call the AskUs Hotline, 596-7977, or visit the library’s Web site, www.tulsalibrary.org.

Rachel Simmons is no stranger to volunteer work and neither are her four older siblings. All spent their summers volunteering as Teen Team members at the Zarrow Regional Library.

Simmons, who soon will start her freshman year at Oral Roberts University, is now a part-time shelver at Zarrow Regional Library. She credits her volunteer work at the library as a key to helping secure her first job.

“After spending three summers as a Teen Teamer, I knew everyone here and realized this was a place where I could see myself working,” recalled Simmons. “My experiences from the library helped prepare me for working with children in a dance studio also. Teen Team is a valuable starting point for those who love reading and are considering volunteering.”

Tulsa City-County Library is currently accepting applications for Teen Team volunteers for the 2009 summer. Applicants must be 13 to 15 years old and capable of volunteering several hours a week at a TCCL location. Duties include assisting librarians with activities associated with the children’s summer reading program.

“Teen Team members gain job experience in a fun atmosphere while helping their local library. Like any job, members report to supervisors who set their schedules and help them learn the intricacies of working with people,” said Amanda Kuhns, TCCL youth services coordinator. “Interested teens should return their applications to the branch where they would like to volunteer, and the librarian will schedule an interview.”

For more information on Teen Team or other volunteering opportunities at the library, call the AskUs Hotline, 596-7977, or visit the library’s Web site, www.tulsalibrary.org.