Initial figures indicate a 12-year record of 59,182 children and families who experienced the joy of reading during The Indianapolis Public Library’s 2014 Summer Reading Program, “Read in Any Language,” which concluded on July 26. The 95th annual program, held at all Indy Library locations as well as the Beech Grove Public Library, attracted 24,639 children ages 6 – 11, 15,791 preschoolers, and 18,752 readers ages 12 and older. The preliminary totals exceeded last year’s record 58,901 participants.
The Lawrence Branch, located at 7898 N. Hague Road, saw 4,859 young readers during the summer.
In celebration of our community’s diverse international character, the Library’s major reading initiative of the year encouraged participants to “think global & read local” and open up the world through books. Readers were able to earn points that could be exchanged for a variety of prizes donated by community sponsors, such as books, toys, gadgets and passes to local events. A new component this year involved the awarding of two $529 scholarships good toward a college savings account, courtesy of CollegeChoice Direct 529 Savings Plan and CollegeChoice CD 529 Savings Plan. Winners, determined by random drawing, will be announced later this summer. “We are extremely heartened by the high numbers of children who participated in this year’s program, indicating that reading can be a popular activity for young people,” said Jackie Nytes, Library CEO. “Reading is so very fundamental to a child’s personal and academic development, and we strongly encourage parents and caregivers to stimulate their children’s interest in reading for their own good and that of the community.”
The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation was the proud sponsor of the 95th Annual Summer Reading Program. Additional support was provided by the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation; Carrier Corporation; Chase; Citizens Energy Group; Indiana Blood Center; Lilly Endowment Inc.; Mary Frances Rubly; Old National Bank; Pacers Foundation; 92.3 WTTS; CollegeChoice Direct 529 Savings Plan and CollegeChoice CD 529 Savings Plan; The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund; The Kroger Co.; The Swisher Foundation, Inc., in memory of Glenn M. Swisher; Toysmith; and United Way of Central Indiana and the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation.
For more information on the Library’s early learning programming, call 275-4099 or visit indypl.org.
[source: IMCPL]
