Read Beyond Reality

Area teens will be reading for the fun of it as Putnam County Library System celebrates Teen Read Week(TM), October 18 – 24, 2009. They join thousands of other libraries, schools and bookstores across the country who are encouraging teens to celebrate this year’s theme, "Read Beyond Reality @ your library®." Teen Read Week(TM) is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association. This year’s theme encourages teens to read a wide variety of materials that are out of this world, just for the fun of it.

Literacy is a topic of both local and national concern, and falling test scores and lower graduation rates among teens today are a serious issue. Studies show a regular reading habit increases reading proficiency, and we agree. One of the most important ways teens acquire the habit is by watching adults they respect. Being around adults who are avid readers can counteract the latest statistics from The Nation’s Report Card, which indicate that in homes across America the number of different types of reading materials has decreased, and a smaller percentage of seventeen-year-olds saw adults reading in their homes.Parents of teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week(TM) at home. PCLS offers these ideas:

· Visit the public or school library with your teen to attend a program or to check out books. · Set aside time each night for the family to read.

· Give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward.

· Share your favorite book with your teen.

· Surf the web with your teen to learn about new books or authors. A good place to start is YALSA's Booklist's page.

· Join a book discussion group at the school or public library.

Today’s teens seem to have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have. That is why it’s important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read. PCLS hopes to increase teen literacy locally by offering a book discussion for teens during Teen Read Week(TM). PCLS libraries will be hosting a county-wide book discussion for teens on the book “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman. Register to attend our discussion and pizza party on Wednesday October 14th, 2009. Teens that register for the event and commit to attending the discussion will get a FREE copy of the book (pick up anytime at your library location)! Discussions will be held at the Cookeville, Baxter, and Monterey locations of the library system. Call your location for starting times of the event. Can’t wait to see you there!