Readers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2015 Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) Summer Reading Programs from May 31 through July 18. Registration for the free seven-week programs at public libraries statewide begins on May 31. Dates may vary by library; contact your local library for dates and other guidelines.
Participants who visit their local library and read at least one book per week are eligible to receive a free reading incentive, while supplies last. In addition to reading, the programs will feature performances by artists from the University of Hawaii's Statewide Cultural Extension Program. Performance programs will be highlighted on the HSPLS website.
On Oahu, a "Super Hero Bon Dance" Summer Reading Kick-off Event will be presented on the Great Lawn of the Hawaii State Library on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entertainer Lina Girl will emcee this special event. The bon dance will provide a venue to celebrate our ancestors, who are heroes as well.
This year, while all of our Summer Reading Programs (SRPs) have an overall theme of "Heroes," each program has their own related theme:
* Children – Every Hero Has a Story. Pre-kindergarteners through 6th graders are invited to discover the "superheroes" within themselves as they read and learn about real life, fantasy and everyday heroes among us who do extraordinary things! Weekly reading incentives will include items such as school supplies, tasty treats, and a Super Hero Activity Kit for young readers to assemble Super Library-Ann, Captain Read-A-Lot and a superhero of their own creation. Free lucky drawings will also be conducted at each library for a chance to win a Back-to-School Backpack filled with handy school supplies for registered children (two prize winners per library).
* Teen – Unmask! Teens in grades 7 through 12 can read to "unmask" heroes of all kinds – from real heroes of the past to heroes of today, fictional heroes in literature and film, superheroes in comics and movies, and the heroes they may find in themselves. Weekly reading incentives include tantalizing treats and cool items that can be customized such as a 4-color Pen with cushion grip or a fillable Clear Photo Frame Key Tag! Free lucky drawings will be conducted at each library for a chance to win a 40-ounce Hydroflask and registered teens can qualify for regional prize drawings of a notebook computer (four regional prize awards). In addition, teens can enter Hawaii Pizza Hut's "Get Caught Reading" Instagram Contest for a chance to win weekly prizes. Visit http://www.librarieshawaii.org/summerreading for more information and contest rules.
* Adult – Escape the Ordinary. Adults 18 years and older can read to discover heroes such as military and war veterans, historical icons, and more as they escape the ordinary to see the extraordinary!
Sponsors for the 2015 Summer Reading Programs include the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, HEI Charitable Foundation, Meadow Gold Dairies, HMS Host, Hansen Distribution Group, Roberts Hawaii, Toshiba Business Solutions, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, National Football League Charities, Aloha United Way, and local Friends Chapters.
Corporate sponsors include Hawaii Pizza Hut, McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, HouseMart Ace Hardware and HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts, HONOLULU Family, Frito-Lay of Hawaii, Razor Concepts, Starbucks Coffee Company, Wholesale Unlimited and Diamond Bakery.
Performance programs are a production of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College's Statewide Cultural Extension Program with additional funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the University of Hawaii.
In addition, these programs are funded in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in Hawaii by the State Librarian.
For more information: visit http://www.librarieshawaii.org/summerreading,
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