Countdown to Extravaganza!

Summer reading! Two of my favorite words, smashed together like chocolate and marshmallows on a s’more.

Click through for the official schedule of Extravaganza events.

If you’re feeling the summer magic too, why not join us in Oakland on Sunday, June 8th, for round 14 of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza? Between 12 and 5 p.m., you can Fizz, Boom, Read your way into a good time, with a slate of activities for kids of all ages and their adult accomplices.

Highlights include puppet shows, adventures in 3D printing, DIY Smiley Cookies (thanks Eat’n Park!), the best used book sale in  Pittsburgh, and music, music, music. As ever, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for one of our summer reading programs, with a chance to win fabulous prizes. And when I say “fabulous,” we’re talking “Kindle Fire fabulous” for grownups.

Click to learn more about Adult Summer Reading and your chance to win a Kindle Fire.

Kids in the Readers group (generally K-5) will also have a shot at winning a Kindle Fire, while their “Read to Me” siblings (younger children who aren’t reading on their own yet) are eligible for the grand prize of a LeapPad 2 Custom Edition. Other participation perks and prizes are available–ask a children’s librarian near you for more information.

Click through for more details on the Kids Summer Reading program.

Teens, we didn’t forget about you: each Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location has chosen its own grand prize, so make sure to visit your library for more information. Don’t forget to ask about teen summer reading fine forgiveness, too.

For summer reading guidelines, info on teen fine forgiveness and more, click here.

There’s less than a week to wait for the family-friendly party of the summer, so make sure you clear your calendar, slather on some sunscreen and join us on the Library lawn. No need to register or pre-register for the party: just bring the family, your sense of adventure and a really big bag for all the books you’ll be taking home (er, we hope).

–Leigh Anne

 

Scenes From Lucky Thirteen: Summer Reading Is Here!

Today at Eleventh Stack we’re happy to bring you a special report from the Communication and Creative Services team. Many thanks to Trina, Renée, Suzanne and Stephen,  as well as photographers Marc Soracco and Bridgett Kay.

After a long winter of anticipation…Summer Reading is finally here! This past Sunday, June 9, a few thousand of our closest friends joined us to “Dig Into Reading” at our 13th annual Summer Reading Extravaganza. Just like baseball games, picnics and visits to the local amusement park, Extravaganza (and summer reading) are part of the summer tradition for thousands of area kids, teens and adults.

Thirteen must be our lucky number–the weather was simply perfect for an outdoor festival, especially one that celebrates the importance of reading and learning.

The Library Card mascot may have confused this little guy…

…but the mascot also welcomed more than 4,000 people gathered on the grounds of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh–Main in Oakland to enjoy live music and hands-on activities, learn something new and enthusiastically jump into a summer of reading.

More than 75 of Pittsburgh’s coolest organizations came to the event to share enriching activities including arts & craft projects.

Meanwhile, mentors from The Labs @ CLP showed off cool technologies–burping plant leaves anyone?

Experimenting with musical instruments–like maracas–is a great way to learn rhythm and coordination.

And even more fun is creating your own instrument. Did you know you can make a harmonica from Popsicle sticks, rubber bands and straws?

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium brought a very friendly snake–and children learned to touch with just one finger or two.

Did you know the Pirate Parrot is a summer reader? He rode all the way from PNC Park on his motorcycle to visit the library!

You can’t “dig into reading” without a few earthworms!

Building imaginations is all part of the fun!

This dog sure seemed to enjoy his day at the library!

This budding musician played the ukulele at the CLP-Music Department’s Hum and Strum Tent.

While others made music on stage with professional percussionists!

Even with so much noise and activity, a dedicated reader can always find a quiet spot…

…or a unique perch to read–for hours!

The Library is a cool spot to check out eResources. And for those preferring to stay outside, librarians demonstrated how to download their next read on portable devices. Today’s Library has books and so much more!

This dapper-looking gentleman may have come inside to check his e-mail (or maybe he was creating a story with My Storymaker!).

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 13th Annual Extravaganza was a great day for the Library and the Pittsburgh community. We are so grateful to our sponsors and partner organizations, and we can’t wait to see you again at Extravaganza next year!

Are you a summer reader? It’s not too late. Stop by your neighborhood library to sign up and keep learning and reading over the summer!