Friday, February 19, 2010 6:56 PM
By CHRIS ALEXIS
Community Library in Sunbury is teaming with state Rep. Kris Jordan to get children interesting in reading.
Jordan is overseeing a program during February and March that encourages children in grades 1-5 to read at least five books. Once the books are read, children and their parents should complete a form available at the library, said library director Chauncey Montgomery.
After the program concludes on March 31, Jordan will draw two names at random from each library district. The winning children will get an opportunity to visit Jordan's office, take a tour of the Statehouse and attend a mock legislative session.
Participating libraries include Community Library, three locations of the Delaware County District Library, the Ashley Wornstaff Memorial Public Library and the Westerville Public Library.
Jordan said the program is aimed at "getting kids in the good habit of reading and possibly get some people involved in public service.
"I'm hoping we have many participants from each of those four libraries and I will make a drawing shortly after the March 31 deadline," he added.
The dates for the drawing and visits have not been scheduled, he said.
Montgomery said, "This program is running concurrently with Community Library's winter reading club and children can participate in both programs. Books read for the winter reading club can also be counted toward Rep. Jordan's program."
The winter reading club will end Feb. 27. For every hour they read, children submit forms to library officials and may win prizes, said library children's service director Fonda Kendrick.
"We were happy that Kris' program will go another month after our reading club is over," she said.
The winter reading club pits boys against girls. As of press time, the girls had documented nearly twice as many hours as the boys, she said.
Children up to 11 years old are eligible to participate in the winter reading club, Kendrick said. Parents can read to preschool children and turn in slips documenting the hours, she said.
Children who document more than four hours of reading can submit their name for a grand prize drawing. Prizes include a $30 Chiller North skating pass, a DVD of the winner's choice, up to a $25 retail value, and a family pass to Galaxy Games and Golf in Upper Arlington.
Montgomery said, "We just want to encourage children to read. These programs help develop positive reading habits in children that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives."
For more information, call the library at (740) 965-3901.
