An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Children's Summer Reading Program kicks-off at MacDill

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shandresha Mitchell
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Base Library kicked-off its Children's Summer Reading Program "Reading to the Rhythm" at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, June 9, 2015.

This is the first time the base library has hosted the event inside the library, and more than 200 children were present to register for the program and partake in the celebration.

The kick-off consisted of arts and crafts, games, prizes and reading. Children up to 10 years of age were able to register for the program lasting from June 9-July 30, 2015, and received t-shirts and prizes just for registering.

"We were very pleased with the large turnout," commented Leanne Jenkins-Byers, library aid. "We want to encourage reading at a young age, so anything that we can do to increase the number of patrons utilizing the library we are proud to support."

The concept of the Children's Summer Reading Program is to check out books, read the books, and then record the books in their log. When their log is filled, participants will be entered into various drawings for grand prizes such as stuffed animals and books.

Library technician, Richard Lindberg, explained that, overall, the purpose of the program is to promote coming to the library to read and to give children something to occupy their time during the summer other than playing video games.

When the program ends, there will be a celebration with prizes for the children as well.

"The number of children in attendance was better than expected," stated Cindy Leahy, senior library technician. "The Children's Summer Reading Program celebration was rad."

The base library will also be introducing other programs in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program. Summer Story Time for preschoolers will be on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and Bedtime Story Time will be on Mondays at 7 p.m.

For more information on the programs contact the Base Library at (813) 828-3607.