Press Release

June 7, 2011

Ruth Lednicer
(312) 747-4907
lednicer@chipublib.org

Leland Elder
(312) 747-4053
lbelder@chipublib.org

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES ITS 2011 SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
Book Beats for Children & Adults

Chicago comes alive with music in the summer! Join the Chicago Public Library as we focus on music and musicians for Book Beats, the 2011 Summer Reading Programs for both children and adults. This year’s programs are presented by the Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Library Foundation, in partnership with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival in Millennium Park, Ravinia and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

“We encourage all Chicagoans to take part in Book Beats this summer to read about and explore the music offered in every neighborhood of our city—and to make some of their own,” said Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey.

Children’s Summer Reading Program

Book Beats is an eight-week, drop-in reading program running from June 13 through August 6, designed to encourage the reading of and the enjoyment of books, centered on the theme, “celebrating music in our lives.” Children and teens, ages 3 to 14 years, are invited to participate in the Summer Reading Program by reading and reporting on books—of their own choice—focused on music. In addition, a host of specially designed, fun-filled children’s programs and contests are scheduled for Book Beats participants to enhance their overall reading experience.

Picture book readers and emerging readers (those who are being read aloud to) who complete 25 books and children reading chapter books who complete 10 books receive a T-shirt with the program logo. Moreover, children can win paperback books during weekly raffles. All readers receive a certificate at the end of the program; and all readers and their families will be invited to attend “Reader’s Night at the Grant Park Music Festival.”

Summer reading programs are an important way to keep children reading during summer vacation. Studies have shown that children who participate in summer reading programs maintain or improve their reading skills. Last year 50,370 children read more than 1,195,862 books as part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program.

Some of this year’s children’s art and reading programs include:

• Diane Delin: The Jazz Conversation
• Patti Ecker & LJ Slavin: Sundown Serenade: A Country Celebration
• Latin American Journey with Nelson Sosa
• Scribblemonster presents Summer Reading Rocks! and You Write the Songs
• Hip Hop Workshop and Poetry Slam Jam with Kidworks
• Music Around the World with Kidworks
• Steve Belliveau: Good Vibrations—The Science of Sound
• Lynn Rymarz: For the Love of Music
• Spotlight Concerts with Sandy Lucas, Lenny Marsh and “Blues Man Dan” Sweet Home Chicago—A Tapping History of Chicago’s Blues Traditions

For a full listing of kids’ programs, visit: http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/kids_sumread.php.

Summer Reads for Adults

Book Beats: Summer Reads for Adults is the fifth annual summer reading program designed especially for adult readers. The program runs from June 1 through July 31, and incorporates the same “celebrating music in our lives” theme so all family members can read books, participate in programs and together hold family discussions.

Book Beats: Summer Reads for Adults helps adult readers develop a profound understanding of musical arts by reading interesting books about music and musicians and by joining in on a number of fun, informative programs that will elevate their enjoyment and appreciation for the music all around them.

Adult participants are invited to attend the variety of programs including:

• I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy
• Book Beats: Loop Film Series—showing a series of music related movies, such as An American in Paris, Ballets Russes, Duke Ellington Live in Montreal, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and La Traviata.
• Klezmer: The Joy of Jewish Music in History, Culture and Song
• Lyon & Healy Harp Factory Tour

For a full listing of adult programs, visit: http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/srpa/srpa11/events.php.

Both Book Beats Summer Reading Programs are supported by the Chicago Public Library Foundation and presented in partnership with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival in Millennium Park, Ravinia, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events and Chicago Public Schools. Additional sponsors include the Dr. Scholl Foundation, Kraft Foods Foundation, Citadel Foundation, Cubs Care, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation, Macy’s Foundation, ComEd, Helen M. Harrison Foundation, Chicago Sun-Times, R.R.Donnelley, Leo Burnett, the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Sky and RPM.

The Chicago Public Library continues to encourage lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology. 

The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the Harold Washington Library Center, two regional libraries and more than 70 neighborhood branches. All locations provide free access to a rich collection of books, DVDs, audio books and music; the Internet and WiFi; sophisticated research databases, many of which can be accessed from a home or office computer; newspapers and magazines; and continue to serve as cultural centers, presenting the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. 

The Harold Washington Library Center, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library and Conrad Sulzer Regional Library are open 7 days a week, the branch libraries are open 6 days a week and patrons can access all of the Library’s collections online 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit the website at www.chicagopubliclibrary.org or call the Chicago Public Library Press Office at (312) 747-4050.