The Chicago Public Library's 2000 Summer
Reading Program, Tyrannosaurus Reads, will run this summer from June 12
- August 5. This exciting and free program is open to kids ages 5-14 at
all 78 Chicago Public Library locations across the City. Tyrannosaurus
Reads, co-sponsored by the Field Museum, is a reading celebration for the
unveiling of SUE. The Field Museum's giant tyrannosaurus and new exhibit.
"We are very excited to welcome The Field
Museum and SUE to the Library's largest Summer Reading Program ever," said
Library Commissioner Mary A. Dempsey. "Tyrannosaurus Reads promises to
be a fun and educational opportunity for Chicago's children and teens to
continue reading throughout summer vacation months while d discovering
new things about dinosaurs," Dempsey added.
Beginning June 12, participants can visit
any Chicago Public Library location and obtain a Tyrannosaurus Reads Program
Guide and Book Log, which will allow readers to keep track of the books
they red. Participants will also deliver short book reports to librarians
and volunteers about the books they read. After each book is finished,
the participant will mark the completion with a sticker in their Book Log.
The end result will be an image of a T. Rex.
Highlights of the Tyrannosaurus Reads Summer
Reading Program include:
* Reading incentives for chances to win
free family passes to the Field Museum.
* Eligibility to win free paperback books
that will include stories about dinosaurs as well as the books. Arthur,
Animorphs and Captain Underpants.
* Free Tyrannosaurus Reads T-shirts to
children age 5-8 who read 25 books and children age 9-14who read 10 books
(while supplies last).
* Young readers and their families will
be invited to the exclusive Sue Readers Fest this August at The Field Museum.
* Interactive dinosaur programs by Timestep
Players. Jaberwocky Marionettes and Green Light Performing Company will
be featured at select library locations.
* Storytellers Chris Fascione and Linda
Gorham will perform and tell dinosaur stories in 30 neighborhood libraries.
Tyrannosaurus Reads is made possible by
a partnership between the City of Chicago, the Chicago Public Library,
The Chicago Public Library Foundation, The Albert Pick Jr. Fund, American
Girl Place, The Chicago Bears and Bears Care Fund, Peoples Energy, S.P.
and H.B. White Foundation, Target and Chicago Motor Speedway.
The Chicago Public Library has sponsored
a summer reading program since 1977. Last year, approximately 24,000 children
read over 325,000 books during the eight-week program. For further information,
contact your local library or the Library's Department of Children and
Young Adult Services at (312) 747-4780 or visit www.chipublib.org.