The Summer Reading Program 2010 Kick Off Party at Five Corners Branch Library began with a splash! on Friday, June 11 at 3 p.m.

In keeping with the SRP 2010 theme from the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a grassroots consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest possible cost for public libraries, is Make a Splash! for children, and Make Waves… for YAs (young adults, grades 6-8, & up). Programs offered at the Jersey City library SRP 2010 reflect this theme.

Inside, painting of blue and black sharks swam throughout the library’s halls on children’s faces. Outside, a kiddie pool full of soapy liquid provided entertainment, as children of all ages dipped huge rings in the pool to make bubbles. See photos and video below!

Inside, a scavenger hunt was brewing, with YAs ferreting out the clues from treasure maps of yore (well, they looked real old, given the holes and frayed edges of the parchment).

Outside, in the garage, an arts & crafts session created dangling fish from headdresses for all to wear. And, of course, there were refreshments after all this fun activity!

Thanks to the New Jersey State Library, youth registering for the Summer Reading Program at the Jersey City Free Public Library now enjoy the experience of registering online, which is offered free of charge to public libraries throughout the state.

Supervising Librarian Hussein Odeh, who oversees Jersey City’s Summer Reading Program this year, reiterated the library’s “commitment to utilizing new technology offerings whenever available, whether provided by the State Library or found through our own devices, for the interest and benefit of our patrons.”

The Evanced Summer Reader software provides for Summer Reading Program registration confirmation e-mails to be sent to the Young Adult registrant, who will be able to register with a username and a password, enabling them to log the books they’ve read and write book reviews. When YAs sign up, the software creates a personalized webpage, where they will be able to post their book reviews. The book reviews, upon staff review and concurrence, then will be posted on the YA homepage. The reviews will not be signed – with the username or a person’s real name – to preserve privacy, and where YAs will be able to choose whether or not their reviews become public. Library staff members are able to send e-mail blasts to all those registered, thus keeping them informed, up-to-the-minute.

“The beauty of this summer reading software is that, with registration, children can begin their computer literacy, and young adults can feel a part of something larger than themselves when posting book reviews online,” said Susan Stewart, Five Corners branch manager and adviser to the Summer Reading Program.

In recognition that not every family has a computer or not all children are online, the usual printed Reading Logs will be used during SRP 2010 throughout the Jersey City library system in conjunction with online services.

“We’re always interested in finding new ways for our younger library users to become excited about their local library, and online registration and interaction brings us up to speed, in their eyes,” added The Heights Branch Manager Liz Cartaina, co-chair of Summer Reading Program 2010, along with Maria Manigbas, Children’s Librarian of the Vincenzo Domenico Bonetti Children’s Room at the Main Library.

Here is the link to the patron Summer Reading Program homepage, which features online registration: https://nj.evanced.info/jclibrary/sr/homepage.asp

Evanced Solutions’ business model is built around promoting stronger community relationships for 21st century libraries by providing configurable tools, state-of-the-art information sharing and one-of-a-kind library services designed to better attract, inspire, engage and ultimately connect your community. Products include event calendaring and registration, meeting room booking, summer reading management, staff scheduling and materials vending, all of which help elevate your library within your community. Evanced is committed to serving libraries, and as library needs evolve, so do their solutions.

BUBBLING WITH JOY! – Outdoor play kicked off the Summer Reading Program Kick Off Party on June 11, 2010 at the Five Corners Branch Library, with a soapy concoction that produced huge bubbles, in keeping with the SRP 2010 theme of Make a Splash! for children, and Make Waves… for young adults.

WHAT A FIND!!! – Two boys scrutinize the treasure map during the scavenger hunt throughout the Five Corners Branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library, as part of the kick off to the Summer Reading Program 2010, which runs from Monday, June 14 to Friday, August 13.

HEAR THAT SOUND…? – Seeing blue and black sharks painted on children’s (and adult’s!) faces brings to mind that music from the movie, Jaws, doesn’t it?! (do-do-do-do…do-do-do-do…)

A FAMILY AFFAIR – It’s heartwarming to see how many parents support the Jersey City library’s Summer Reading Program through their participation in the Kick Off Party arts & crafts area, and all throughout the program. Front and center, is longtime volunteer, Rachel Stewart, who is painting faces. Rachel is the daughter of Five Corners Branch Manager Susan Stewart.

Click here to view a video clip of the Summer Reading Program 2010 Kick-Off Party!