Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, 360-704-4508, or 1-877-284-6237, ext. 2508; e-mail: lingle@trlib.org or Ellen Duffy, Youth Services Coordinator, 360-704-4576.

Children and teens can hit the trail this summer with Timberland Regional Library’s 2004 Summer Reading Program, enjoying interactive programs, special guest presentations, fun-time reading ideas, activities and prizes. The theme for children for this year is "Discover New Trails…Read." The related theme for teens is "Get Lost…At Your Library." Children, or their parents or other caregivers, and teens can sign up at any of the 27 Timberland libraries throughout Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties as soon as school is out in their area. Online signup at www.trlib.org is open now. Participation in the summer program is free of charge.

Participants will receive a book bag and startup packet at their library. In addition to a colorful program schedule to hang on the refrigerator or a bulletin board at home, each packet will include booklists, a reading log with a prize claim form, a list of prizes to look forward to in July or August, and more. Other items, including a new booklet called the TimberTrails passport, will also be available at each library. It’s for logging the family’s summer travels and collecting library stamps. The library system’s website offers all the branches’ program schedules, a variety of book lists, a spot for teens to review books online, and more.

The library encourages parents and caregivers to sign up and involve preschoolers in the program by reading with them and bringing them to library programs. "Parents are their children’s first and most significant teachers. Libraries are parents’ partners in unlocking the world of reading and language by providing books and other resources, story time programs, and models for reading together for enjoyment as well as learning," said Timberland Youth Services Coordinator, Ellen Duffy.

In addition to story time and activity programs based on the Discover New Trails theme, all the libraries will present some major guest performers. Here are just a few:

For details about the programs at each library, check with the library or look over the summer events calendars on the Timberland website, www.trlib.org.

Businesses, agencies, organizations and Friends of the Library groups are providing all prizes. Every participant who turns in a prize claim form in July or August will receive coupons for free admissions to area attractions and free pizza. Library branches have also gathered many local prizes to award at various times during the summer.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 6 school-based cooperative library centers. For information on any subject, the public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians at 704-INFO (704-4636) from Thurston County, Shelton and Oakville or 1-800-562-6022, toll-free, from all other areas in the district. Or "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library 4 days in advance.