BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \;  \; &lsquo\;DREAM BIG &ndash\; READ!&rsquo\; AND &lsquo\;OWN THE NIGHT&rsquo\; AT MERCER COUNTY&rsquo\;S SUMMER READING P ROGRAM BEGINNING JUNE 18 \n The Mercer County Library System (MCLS) is a great place for families to spend time this summer\, learn and be insp ired\, thanks to the 2012 New Jersey statewide summer reading programs " Dream Big - READ!" and "Own the Night."  \; Reading programs are a f ree\, efficient\, fun way to incorporate reading and related activities into summer family time. Having access to books and library programs thr oughout the summer can lead to more reading and improved reading skills. Interactive library programs\, which include story hours\, creative art s\, performances and other special events\, enhance the reading experien ce and encourage youth and their families to become library users and li felong readers.  \; Mercer County Library System&rsquo\;s Summer Rea ding Program is an annual program that brings attendance of more than 18 \,000 patrons into its nine branches for reading-related activities. &nb sp\; Branch locations are located in member municipalities as follows: E wing\, Hickory Corner\, Hightstown\, Hollowbrook\, Hopewell\, Lawrence\, Robbinsville\, Twin Rivers and West Windsor. "Research has shown that children will maintain or improve their reading skills if they particip ate in some kind of summer reading program\," said Mercer County Executi ve Brian M. Hughes. "That&rsquo\;s why the Mercer County Library System& rsquo\;s Summer Reading Program is so important\, because it puts books in the hands of children."  \; Last year\, throughout summer 2011\, children and teens reported reading 86\,140 books as part of this progra m.  \; Free registration begins Monday\, June 18\, at all branches t hroughout the library system\, and the program runs through Friday\, Aug . 3\, for children 11 and under. Teen registration begins on Monday\, Ju ne 18\, and ends on Friday\, Aug. 17. Fun\, educational activities and c ontests are planned from June through early August. All branches of the Library System will launch the six-week program with free\, special regi stration events. Certain programs require pre-registration with a valid MCLS library card.  \; Visit Mercer County on the Web at www.mercerc ounty.org  \; Children 11 and under are encouraged to visit their l ocal branch anytime beginning Monday\, June 18. They should stop at the registration table to receive a reading log to keep track of the books t hey will read on their own or with an adult. Incentive prizes are awarde d on a weekly basis to children who return to the library with their log to report the number of titles or chapters they have completed. Prizes are offered to encourage children to keep reading over the summer. Teen volunteers and library staff will assist children in the registration pr ocess at each branch and are available to answer questions. Library staf f can assist children in choosing books.  \; The teen summer reading program is online for 2012 and runs from June 18 through Aug. 17. The t heme is "Own the Night" and teens 12-18 can participate online with Inte rnet access to the Library&rsquo\;s website. They can register with a us er name and password\, returning to the Library&rsquo\;s website to reco rd the books they have read. Teens are also encouraged to participate in the variety of teen events\, workshops and activities taking place thro ughout the Library System. Programs include book-themed events\, song ly ric writing\, scavenger hunts\, current and classic movie showings\, gam ing sessions\, creative writing\, stage makeup instruction\, crafts\, te st preparation\, cooking and photography. Each branch will hold its own set of events\, prizes and contests. Check local branch publicity for sp ecifics and registration details. Certain programs require pre-registrat ion with a valid MCLS library card.  \; Programs are free and are ge nerously sponsored by the Friends of the Library or local library associ ation or advisory committee supporting programming at each branch. Addit ional sponsorship is received by the New Jersey Statewide Summer Reading Program and various local businesses and organizations that have donate d prizes. Most programs are intended for individual family attendance. G roups or organizations that are located within a member municipality sho uld contact their local branch to find out which programs are appropriat e for the attendance of a large group\, or which months of the year grou ps can best be accommodated.  \; Mercer County Library System is par t of the National Collaborative Summer Reading Program\, which prepares children for continued success through the development of early language skills and integrates differentiated literacy activities to motivate yo ung adults to read and discuss books.  \; Visit the library&rsquo\;s website in early June for a complete listing of programs and events. Pr inted calendars and registration details will also be available at each branch in early June. http://webserver.mcl.org/ys/ysspecev.html URL:http://eastwindsor.patch.com/events/library-summer-reading-programs SUMMARY:Library Summer Reading Programs LOCATION:Hightstown Memorial Branch\, Mercer County Library: 114 Franklin St\, Hightstown\, NJ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR