[Archived] Alexandria Library's SummerQuest 2008 Welcomes Young Readers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2008

Alexandria Library’s SummerQuest 2008 Welcomes Young Readers

For more than two decades, Alexandria Library has encouraged children to continue reading over the summer when school is out of session. Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to “catch the reading bug” with Alexandria Library’s SummerQuest 2008 program. Registration for SummerQuest 2008 officially began on Monday, June 16, but it’s not too late to sign up and join the fun! By registering for the program, children will receive a free book log to record their summertime reading along with other materials, including schedules of events and student-designed bookmarks. There is also a SummerQuest Junior program for ages 0 to 6, complete with events and materials for the very youngest readers.

SummerQuest 2008 offers a variety of special events designed for specific ages. Here are a few examples of the programs offered this summer:

• Maryland Science Center presents "What's the Matter? Chemistry with Fizz, Foam, and Flash," for ages 6 to 12, Wednesday, July 9, at 4 p.m., at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St.

• Oh Susannah! presents music and dance for ages 0 to 5 on Tuesday, July 15, at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., at Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.

• It’s BINGO Night at the library! Alexandrians of all ages are invited to play games and win prizes! The event will be held on Thursday, August 7, at 7 p.m., at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd.

• “Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!” stories and a craft time will be held for ages 3 and up on Thursday, July 17, at 11 a.m., at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St.

Alexandria Library’s SummerQuest is sponsored by The James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. and by the four Friends groups of Alexandria Library.

For more information on SummerQuest 2008, visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or contact one of your local libraries:

Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St., 703.519.5900
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St., 703.838.4555
James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., 703.838.4566
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd., 703.519.6000