NEW HAMPSHIRE SUMMER READING 2006

Get ready for Summer Reading 2006! New Hampshire libraries will be celebrating pirates and treasure and adventures of the high seas this summer as they participate in "Treasure Reading" - the 2006 Summer Reading theme.

The Summer Reading Program Committee, a sub-group of CHILIS, has contracted with Tracey Dahl Carrier of Bedford to produce lush and whimsical artwork. Carrier has created a dazzling poster, a t-shirt with graphics on the front and back and colorful bookmarks, reading logs and certificates. Look for the order forms, which are vanned or mailed to all of the public libraries in early January. Or, you may find online forms and artwork samples at www.laconialibrary.org/ChilisSummerReading.htm.

To complement the Summer Reading Program, the N.H. State Library offers Kids, Books and the Arts. This project allows libraries to apply for grants to bring Roster performers to their communities over the summer. Roster performers are pre-selected based on their creation of programs that relate to the "Treasure Reading" theme. Librarians may preview the talents of these Roster artists by attending the showcase at the CHILIS Spring Conference, which will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at the Margate Resort in Laconia. Kids, Books and the Arts applications will be mailed to libraries in February. The deadline to submit grant applications will be March 31, 2006.

If you have questions about the Summer Reading Program or Kids, Books and the Arts, please contact Ann Hoey at ahoey@library.state.nh.us or 271-2865. We always welcome new members to the Summer Reading Program Committee, so if you have been thinking of joining, we'd love to have you participate.