New York State Reading Program Offers Incentives to Kids Who Read

The John Jermain Memorial Library partnered with the The New York State Library's Statewide Summer Reading Program which distributes a programming kit to all 1,200 public library branches and reading center locations in the state. The program's theme is "2001: A Reading Odyssey." The program rewards kids with a sticker for every visit, and a prize for every book read; four books gets a child a pass to the Riverhead Marine Aquarium (courtesy of WBLI, a Long Island radio station); a bookplate for reading five books; a logoed pencil for seven books read; a magnet for10; a bicycle license plate for 15; a wallet for 20; a Frisbee for 25 and a water bottle for 30. Children are required to write one book report, do an illustration of one of the books they read or write a paragraph on one of the books, says Kerri Acierno, the library's director. "It keeps them honest," she says. On August 24, the participating children will receive their awards at a pizza party featuring the songs of children's singer Zack Morgan. The John Jermain Memorial Library's reading program also included book related movies for kids, a pajama party, a craft program and talks on marine life sponsored by the Riverhead Marine Aquarium on such creatures as sea turtles and whales.