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BA/quest.pr Contact: Barbara Harr, 301-217-3926
COUNTY KICKS OFF ANNUAL
SUMMER QUEST READING PROGRAM For Immediate Release: June 18, 1996
Costumed theatrical characters, a familiar clown and more than 30 local
children joined County officials today at the Rockville Regional Library to
kick off the 1996 Summer Quest reading program.
The goal of the program, which is held in library systems throughout the
metro area, is to encourage children to read. Last year, more than 25,000
Montgomery children participated -- 18,017 in the first grade and above and
6,770 pre-schoolers. The theme of this year's campaign is "Sail Away with
Books."
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, Council President Gail H. Ewing and
Director of the Department Public Libraries Agnes Griffen were joined by
Ronald McDonald, who served as emcee for the kickoff, and characters from
"Jack and the Wonder Beans" produced by the Bethesda Academy of the Performing
Arts at White Flint's Imagination Stage.
Duncan cited the significance of the program, saying that it is
important to encourage reading among children because "Their ability to read
and communicate are crucial to their success in life and, in turn, to the
betterment and future character of our world."
Ewing said, "As a mom, I used to read to my sons when they were young.
The great thing about this program is that it encourages kids to read because
it's fun." Children participating in Summer Quest receive reading logs,
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designed this year with Bay-related artwork.
First graders and above set personal reading goals, which they record on
their "Sail Away with Books" logs.
As they achieve their goals, they receive stickers from their local
library, plus other incentives from Summer Quest sponsors. There will also be
programs at local libraries for Summer Quest participants. A reading list,
including special titles about the Chesapeake Bay, will be included.
Children who reach their goals will receive a final sticker, a Summer
Quest certificate, a free meal coupon from McDonald's and will have their name
appear in the local Gazette newspaper.
Pre-schoolers will receive a "Read to Me This Summer" log, a McDonald's
dessert coupon and a pass to the Baltimore Zoo. Books which are read to them
will be listed on the log. After 10 books have been read to them, they can
return their log to the library to receive a sticker. Many library branches
will offer film programs for preschoolers. A list of the films is available
at local libraries.
Summer Quest posters, similar to the one on the reading log, are
available, in limited quantities, at local libraries or can be downloaded,
printed from the Montgomery County government's website (http://co.mo.md.us).
Any books may be read, whether from the library or a personal
collection. Books being read for school reading lists are also eligible.
"I applaud all the sponsors for their very generous support of the
Summer Quest reading program, " Griffen said. "This type of commitment, which
encourages and inspires young readers, provides a wonderful foundation for
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building tomorrow's leading citizens."
Sponsors of the local program are McDonald's Family Restaurants of
Montgomery County,; the Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts; Mellon Bank; the
Washington Warthogs; Gazette Newspapers; Baltimore Zoo; the Montgomery County
Library Board; and The Friends of the Library of Montgomery County.
The artwork on both reading logs used in the regional program was
created by two Montgomery County residents, Carol Schwartz and Rosanna
DeShetler.
Summer Quest begins June 19 and runs through August 31.
For more information about the program, call any Montgomery County
public library.
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