May 5, 2005

INFORMATION RELEASE 

Media Contact: Heather O'Connell
(239) 461-2924 or hoconnell@leegov.com

Summer Reading Programs @ Your Library

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 5, 2005) -The Lee County Library System presents its annual Summer Reading Program May 25 - July 23 at all Lee County Library System locations and the Bookmobile.
 
Community Relations Coordinator, Heather O'Connell says a record number of children and teens turned out last year to enjoy programs and activities, track their reading, and win prizes.
 
"The programs this year are terrific!" O'Connell said. " School age children will enjoy puppet shows, live theatrical performances, science, magic, and balloon shows, animal exhibits, art instruction and much more."
 
Middle and high school ages will have their own programs including Dance Dance Revolution, Hip Hop Dance, How to Draw Manga, Crime Scene Investigation, Meet the Author and programs with the Alliance of the Arts.

O'Connell says the exciting programs keep teens and children coming into the library and spark an interest in reading and learning more about the subjects covered in the events. "There are three different summer reading programs and all focus on reading and its rewards." she said.
 
Read to Me is a program for parents with infants/toddlers. Participants receive a Read to Me bag, board book and reading log.
 
Summer Reading Team is for ages 6 and up. Participants receive reading related items at registration including a pencil, reading log and activity book. Children are entered into weekly drawings for prizes.
 
Teens Read & Win is for middle and high school age students. Participants receive a reading log and for each week teens meet their reading goals, they receive a prize. This year, there is a Grand Prize Drawing at each library, along with new prizes including popular magazines, gel bracelets, mood pens, other teen favorites and teen books.
Events are free, but tickets are required. Please pick up free tickets at the library before each event. These events are for children ages 6 and older.
Note to Media - our program has expanded so much, it now takes 17 pages just to list the events! Because that doesn't work for most e-mail accounts, please click on the name of the location(s) you cover. That will take you to its schedule of Summer Reading Program Events. If you have any difficulty accessing information or would like any additional information, please contact Heather O'Connell. Click here for the full schedule of all locations.

Bonita Springs Public Library 
26876 Pine Avenue Bonita Springs, FL   
Phone: (239) 992-0101                                                  

Cape Coral - Lee County Public Library
921 S.W. 39th Terrace Cape Coral, FL
Phone: (239) 542-3953

Captiva Memorial Library                                            
11560 Chapin Lane Captiva, FL                                 
Phone: (239) 472-2133

Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library
3095 Blount Street Fort Myers, FL 
Phone: (239) 334-3602

East County Regional Library
881 Gunnery Road Lehigh Acres, FL                         
Phone: (239) 461-7300

Fort Myers- Lee County Public Library
2050 Central Avenue Fort Myers, FL
Phone: (239) 479-4635

Lakes Regional Library
15290 Bass Road Fort Myers, FL
Phone: (239) 533-4000

Please note: The Rutenberg Branch Library Closes Saturday, May 14 (at 5 p.m.) Lakes Regional Library opens Saturday, June 18. Summer Reading Programs start at Lakes Regional Library on Wednesday, June 22. Click  Lakes for more information on the closing, Grand Opening and transition services.  

North Fort Myers Public Library                                  
2001 N. Tamiami Trail N.E.
North Fort Myers, FL      
Phone: (239) 997-0320
                                                              
Pine Island Public Library
10700 Russell Road NW Pine Island FL
Phone: (239) 461-3188

Riverdale Branch Library                                             
14561 State Road 80 Fort Myers, FL                            
Phone: (239) 461-3130                                                              

South County Regional Library
21100 Three Oaks Parkway Estero, FL
Phone: (239) 390-3200

For more information about a program or to register, please call the library. A sign language interpreter is available with 48-hour notice. Call the Deaf Service Center at (239) 461-0334 (voice) or (239) 461-0438 (TTY). Assistive listening devices are available upon request.
 
Check the Lee County Library System's Web site at www.leecounty.com/library, or pick up an events calendar on your next visit, to find out about programs at other locations. Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at (239) 479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program.

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