June 3, 2015 --
If asked to describe a library, most people would probably say it’s a quiet environment with many books stacked on shelves so individuals can read.
Melodies from a CD player provided background music while children read in the not-so-quiet setting of the Children’s Library Room, June 3.
Located within Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Library, more than 10 children from the Child Development Center’s summer camp program read and talked with their peers about their favorite books. They also sang along to some of the songs.
Playing various kinds of musical genres so children can learn about music appreciation is the idea behind “Read to the Rhythm,” the 2015 Department of Defense Summer Reading Program at the Library.
“It’s unorthodox in a sense of a library setting,” Amos Tookes, librarian, said. “Children will be learning about music, reading about music, and we’re going to try to entertain them with music. Hopefully it’s going to be a summer of rhythmic reading, reading to music. We will be entertaining the children with stories about music and musical artists.”
Children of patrons, who have access to MCLB Albany, may participate in the program. There are four age group reading levels: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13-18. Parents may register their children via the website, https://usmc.evanced.info/albany/sr/homepage.asp.
Children will receive a “Read to the Rhythm” T-shirt upon registering, Tookes noted.
Various activities will be provided at the Library as well as movies shown at the Base Theater during the roughly two-month program, which began June 1 and ends July 31.
A teen party for ages 13-18 is slated for Aug. 21 and teens must read two books to earn a ticket to the party. In order to invite a guest to the event, teens must read an additional two books.
An awards ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 22.
“We’re hoping to reach more than 100 (children),” Tookes added. “Last year we had 94. We’re looking forward to a very entertaining music appreciation summer.”
Summer campers talked about their favorite books and music during their visit to the Library, June 3. They found some of their favorites on the shelves and showed them off — “Dork Diaries” by Rachel Renee Russell, “Leo Geo and His Miraculous Journey through the Center of the Earth” by Jon Chad as well as Dr. Seuss books.
One young reader said she “likes to read and (likes) hip hop and pop and hopes to learn more about (them).”
A 6-year-old participant exclaimed that he “wants to be a country music star with a band.” If there’s a book about country musicians he wants to read it.
For more information about the Summer Reading Program, call 229-639-5242.