ba/quest.pr              97-186                                Contact: Diane Monnier, 301-986-4302 
      


COUNTYWIDE SUMMER QUEST READING PROGRAM
KICKS OFF AT BETHESDA REGIONAL LIBRARY       Immediate Release: June 16, 1997


     Now through the end of August, Montgomery County children can embark on a
reading adventure known as Summer Quest, which was kicked off today by County officials.
     Children in Grade 1 and above are invited to participate in "Summer Quest '97:
Read .Let Your Imagination Go!" Reading Logs are available at any Montgomery County
public library.  Each child decides how many books he/she will read during the summer and
records that number on the log. As books are read, the titles are recorded on the log, and a
sticker is placed in the circles on the log. 
     When a completed log is turned in at the library, the child receives a "Quest End"
sticker, a certificate and a McDonald's dessert coupon, in addition to having their name
published in the local Gazette newspaper.
     Last year, more than 28,000 Montgomery County children participated in Summer
Quest, which is held in library systems throughout the metro area.
     County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, Council President Marilyn J. Praisner and
Acting Director of the Department of Public Libraries Que Bronson were joined by Ronald
McDonald who served as emcee of the kickoff event held at the Bethesda Regional Library.
                                  -more-

COUNTYWIDE SUMMER QUEST .                                                            2-2-2-2
     Pre-schoolers who participate will receive a "Read to Me This Summer" log.  Books
which are read to them will be listed on the log.  After 10 books have been read to them,
they may return their log to the library and receive a special sticker.
     Any books may be read, whether from the library or a personal collection.  Books
being read for school reading lists are also eligible.
     Sponsors of the local program are: the Gazette Newspapers,  McDonald's Family
restaurants of Montgomery County, MD; Einstein Bros. Bagels; the Bethesda Academy of
Performing Arts; Washington Warthogs; and Baltimore Zoo, in addition to the Montgomery
County Department of Public Libraries; Montgomery County Library Board; and the Friends
of the Library, Montgomery County.
     For more information about Summer Quest, call the nearest public library.

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