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Kids Discover the Mystery of Reading |
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by Dan Veaner
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Friday, 29 June 2007 |
 The Lansing Community Library Center kicked off its summer reading program at the Lansing Town Hall with a performance by Moreland the Magician, who magically solved the mystery of his missing library card before a crowd of almost 100 people last week. Kids delightedly participated in solving the mystery as David Moreland transformed himself into a detective to support this year's 'Get a Clue' theme. The program encourages kids to read books during the summer, and to keep a log of what they have read. When they have read six or more books, they receive prizes at the closing event.
 Inspector Moreland gets a clue
The theme is set by the New York State Education Department. Local program leader Susan Rosenkoetter says that studies show that kids who read throughout the summer do better when they come back to school in the Fall. The state provides materials to local libraries including the logs, plus maintains a Web site with activities related to the theme for the summer.
 Susan Rosenkoetter introduces Moreland the Magician
Rosenkoetter says an anonymous donor gave the library $500 to fund this year's program. Susie Hinderliter also procured a grant to cover prizes and other expenses. This year instead of classes coming to the library over a period of several weeks, Rosenkoetter went to the elementary school the previous Tuesday to tell all the K-4th grade students about the program. "The idea really paid off," Rosenkotter said, pleased with the attendance for the day. "It was Tuesday and they couldn't forget much!"
The library is emphasizing mystery series like Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew this summer to match the theme of the program. "One is the Nate the Great series," Rosenkoetter says. "And do you remember Encyclopedia Brown? Cam Janson, a female detective with a photographic memory."
 Amy Redmond (right) and Lisa Peter sport 'Get a Clue' T-shirts
Though only required to read six books to get a completion certificate, Rosenkoetter says a lot of children read many more. "We couldn't do this without the Lansing Elementary School People. Indeed 3rd grade teacher Lisa Peter and middle school AIS, PAWS and Quest Teacher Amy Redmond were on hand, registering students and giving out logs for kids to record their reading in. Patty Jennings and Amy Jaffe were also behind this year's program..
Jeff Boyer, a bubblologist, will be featured in the August 11th closing event at 10am in the Town Hall. Boyer performs an interactive show that teaches kids all about bubbles, and Rosenkoetter says that he even blows giant bubbles that envelop them. She says that kids will get bubbles, book marks and other prizes when they successfully complete the program.
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