(360) 943-5001 - Fax (360) 586-6838 - 415 Tumwater Blvd. SW - Tumwater, WA 98501
Reference & Information line: 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in Olympia area or toll-free 1-800-562-6022.
TRL Web site: http://www.trlib.org

Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, 360-704-4508.

Summer is a time for fun and the Timberland Regional Library annual summer reading program is designed to provide enjoyable events and activities that help build readers by supporting language development and engaging the imagination.

Families and children of all ages can sign up for the summer program at any Timberland library in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pacific or Grays Harbor County as soon as school is out in each area. Participants will receive a book bag with complete program materials and a calendar of events. The entire program is free of charge.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in library programs and activities with their children. Involving families is central in the library system's youth program. "Parents can sign up the whole family for the summer program, including all the children from birth on up," said Ellen Duffy, Timberland’s youth services coordinator, "It’s parents that have the biggest impact on early learning, by reading together and having fun as a family."

This summer's program theme is "Get a Clue @ Your Library." Author and illustrator Mark Teague, who has published more than 20 children's books, has provided original art for the program’s printed materials and Web site. Dog, cat and mouse detectives join more traditional sleuths in Teague's humorous illustrations. For teenagers the theme is "Solve the Mystery @ Your Library," with materials and programs, including interactive Web-based games and activities, designed just for them.

Interactive performances, story time programs, participatory theater events, crafts, games and activities have been planned to actively engage all ages and inspire them to learn more about the topics that interest them. Two special guests will perform throughout the 27-branch library system: This summer’s districtwide performances include master puppeteer Clay Martin’s "Punch and Pals" puppet variety show and Linda Severt’s "Juggletunes," a one-woman, high-energy comedy show with juggling, puppetry and music. At various libraries, other presenters from storytellers to wildlife handlers, magicians and a UFO expert will reveal both the everyday mysteries that surround us and those that live in books and the imagination.

Summer program participants will receive coupons for free pizza and admissions to Southwest Washington attractions when they turn in their prize claim coupons. The coupons are attached to the reading logs provided for listing favorite books read over the summer. At various times during the summer individual library branches also award additional prizes that are provided by local businesses, Friends of the Library groups and other organizations.

Research shows that the number of books read during the summer is not as important for gaining in reading ability as joining in library summer reading programs that are enjoyable and engage children’s interest. For that reason, the library system does not ask that participants read a specific number of books.

People can find out more by visiting their local Timberland library or the Timberland Regional Library Web site at www.trlib.org. Also on the Web site, people can sign up for the program, solve mysteries, decode puzzles and discover a variety of booklists, including the books that youth librarians are talking about at schools during their end-of-the-school-year visits.

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 7 library service partner locations. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, the public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians at 704-4636 in the Olympia calling area or from all other areas, toll-free, at 1-800-562-6022. Or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library a week in advance.

Revised 06/05/07