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Arts & Entertainment

Free Summer Reading Program Returns to South Cobb

South Cobb Regional, Sweetwater Valley and the other 15 library branches in Cobb County will kick off their annual summer reading program on June 1.

Summer is right around the corner. What better way to enjoy it than with the free summer reading program presented by the Cobb County Public Library System?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services-funded program, which has been going strong for more than 30 years now, was designed to encourage the development of literacy skills and celebrate the enjoyment of reading.

“Our goal with the summer reading program is that kids have a good time reading. There’s no test, we just want them to understand that coming to the library and reading is fun,” says Cobb County Public Library System Program Director Patty Latch.

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Children that register at their local library will receive a reading log folder to record all of the books that they read over the summer. Teen and adult readers can submit short reviews on the books they have read.

“The response from the kids has been great for all of the years that I have been here. The kids come in excited to sign up,” says Latch.

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As an incentive, those who complete and return their book reviews or reading log to their library will receive a certificate and other great prizes. According to Sweetwater Valley Youth Services Librarian Susan Lester, those teens and adults who return book reviews to the Sweetwater Valley Library will receive an entry in a drawing for a gift card to a local merchant for each review submitted.

The travel-themed “One World, Many Stories” program has over 700 free events and activities planned throughout the summer.  Participants will learn about different people and cultures around the world like Russia and Oceania. Learning is made fun through storytelling, crafts, books, music, art and more.  

There are three different programs for children, teens and adults. From newborns to grandparents, all ages are invited to attend the events.

"We want to encourage everyone to participate," says Lester.

Some of the multicultural activities include the “Japanese Film Festival" and “Celebrate Yourself and Others.” The children will receive a special visit from guest “Madeline” of  the childhood stories written by Ludig Bemelman.

Teens can even attend a workshop that teaches them how to upload videos to 'YouTube' and develop video games.

“It’s free, it’s fun, it encourages reading for pleasure and you make new friends,” says South Cobb Youth Services Librarian Julienne Marks.

The free summer reading program is open to the public and will run from June 1- Jul 31. Check out www.cobbcat.org for a full list of activities that may interest you or your little reader. South Cobb residents can also call the South Cobb Regional Library at (678) 3978-5834 or Sweetwater Valley Library at (770) 819-3290 for more information.

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