Hundreds of Brooklyn Kids Turn Central Library Into Board Game, Playland to Kick Off 2016 Summer Reading

Giant Chess Game, Puzzles and Other Activities at the Library for Celebration of Summer Learning

BPL Offers Books, Events to Help Students Throughout the Borough ‘Get in the Game’ This Summer

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library kicked off its 2016 Summer Reading program today, hosting a game-themed party at Central Library to encourage active learning through the summer months.

Hundreds of families joined in the fun at Central, where kids took turns playing the pieces in a life-size game of chess hosted by Brooklyn Strategist, and at branches throughout Brooklyn, including a world music event at Kings Bay Library, a life-size game of Candy Land at Bedford Library, a performance by Miss Nina and the Jumping Jacks at Highlawn Library, and a musical puppet show at Gerritsen Beach Library.

“With school out of session, it is critically important that children and teens stay connected with literature, both to keep their minds engaged and to preserve the gains they made in the previous school year,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda Johnson. “Literacy is the key to students’ success inside and outside the classroom, and we urge Brooklyn’s young people and families to participate in Summer Reading this year.”

In partnership with the New York City Department of Education, Brooklyn Public Library’s annual Summer Reading program aims to prevent “summer slide” by encouraging Brooklyn’s young readers to visit the library and continue reading while school is out of session. It is estimated that summer breaks will cause the average student to lose up to one month of instruction per year, with students from low-income families disproportionately affected.

The kickoff provided Brooklyn families an opportunity to sign up for BPL’s Summer Reading program and get started on the Summer Challenge, a game in which kids of all ages, teens, tweens and adults complete creative and engaging activities to be entered in a drawing for a grand prize: a set of books specially curated for twelve lucky winners. Eligible activities include visiting a place in Brooklyn that is new to you, learning a new joke or riddle, posting a book review on summerreading.org and attending a library program.

This summer, Brooklyn families will be able to track their summer reading using Beanstack’s clean, user-friendly, mobile-first interface. The service will help families with young students log their reading and discover great Library books and branch programs. In addition, BPL is partnering with Luna Park, New York City’s largest amusement park, to encourage summer reading. Readers who bring finished game boards or challenges to the park will be eligible for free, unlimited rides for a period of up to four hours. The Library is also hosting a baseball book review contest for ages 6-18; the winners will represent BPL at the Summer Reading Yankee game on August 17. More information is available on the Summer Reading 2016 website.

Last year, the Summer Reading program provided 122,470 participants with book lists, literacy-building activities, engaging games and competitive reading challenges.

Support for Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading 2016 program is provided by the National Grid Foundation, Astoria Bank, Con Edison, and Macy’s. Additional support is provided by The New York Community Trust – ELSAM Fund.

#          #          #

About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.