Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
Summer reading isn’t just for kids anymore.
Several area libraries are making adults, parents and otherwise, a priority in the months during which programming is usually reserved for when students are out of school.
7/17/14 – Adults between the ages of 45 and 65 make up the largest group of readers at the Your Home Public Library, said director Andrea Tillinghast, 39.
“That is, predominantly, the group we serve,” said Tillinghast, of Binghamton. “Why leave them out of the excitement of summer reading programs and earning prizes?”
This is the first year the Johnson City library is hosting an adult-specific program, she said. The Fenton Free and the George F. Johnson Memorial libraries are two others that offer similar challenges.
As with the kids programs, many area libraries collect tickets or book logs for each book or specific number of pages read by an individual. In most cases, names are dropped in a raffle basket for prizes, which can range from prize baskets to electronic book readers.
Older people participating in the Fenton Free Library program can get a ticket for every 25 pages they read, said director Korin Spencer. For the ones who read five or more books a week, “it already makes them feel like they won the lottery,” she said.
“We want to encourage the adults to participate as well because they need to be good role models to the kids,” Spencer said.
The New York State Library set the themes for summer reading programs across the state, and individual libraries are able to run with the topic as they see fit. This year’s motif: “Fizz! Boom! Read!” emphasizing science and technology. Though not all of the multi-aged summer programs will revolve around the theme, area libraries are varying their implementation through different speakers, crafts and book clubs.
Here are some of the area’s summer reading programs and events for those of all ages in the Four County Library System. For complete event listings, contact the individual library.
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