Something peculiar is happening at the library this summer. Kids from across the city are flocking to their local public library looking for footprints, fingerprints and other mysterious clues. They’ve shined up their magnifying glasses and have headed for the stacks. Just what are they searching for? A secret passageway? A trap door? A mysterious author? What in the world could possibly be the reason for this mystifying behavior?

It doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to solve this mystery. This summer, public libraries across the state of Alabama will participate in the 2002 Summer Library Program, Summer of Mystery. Each library in Jefferson County has something mysterious planned to delight, bewilder and perplex children of all ages. Libraries will host magicians, musicians, mimes, and more! Even better than that, children will earn incentives just for reading books they enjoy.

Here’s just a sampling of what some kids are saying about the oddities they are discovering at their library. (Please note: the names have been changed to protect the curious.)

Mary, age 7, Hoover Public Library: "I always wanted to know WHO built the first airplane. I looked it up in a book and found out it was the Wright brothers."

Fred, age 4, Birmingham Public Library: " I asked my librarian HOW to make cookies. She gave my mom and me a book that showed us just what to do. They were good, too!"

John, age 12, Avondale Public Library: "I have always been puzzled as to WHY the sky is blue. I checked out this cool science book and it explained all about blue and red wavelengths. And now I know."

Sarah, age 9, Bessemer Public Library: "I needed to know WHEN the Civil War took place. My librarian showed me a book called an encyclopedia. Now I know!"

Carter, age 2, Emmet O’Neal Public Library: "I wanted to know WHERE the Clifford the Big Red Dog books were and my librarian showed me. I love dogs."

Maggie, age 8, Homewood Public Library: "I asked my librarian WHAT was the best mystery book in the world. She found all sorts of stuff for me to read. I’ve read the Box Car Children, the Bailey School Kids, and a lot more mysteries. I’m sure I’ll find the very best mystery this summer after I read them all!"

So there you have it. Children across Jefferson County are finding the answers to all of life’s greatest questions: WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? and HOW? And they are doing it just by visiting their local public library!

By the way, it’s no mystery why reading is so important. Studies have shown that kids who read succeed. The purpose of the Summer Library Program is two-fold: first, libraries want to encourage school-aged children to read during the summer months; and second, libraries want to encourage parents of very young children to begin reading aloud to their children as soon as possible. It has been proven that children who do not read during the summer lose a percentage of the skills they acquire over the school year. Studies have also shown that children of parents who read aloud to them while they are babies have better vocabulary, listening and reading skills when they enter school.

So, don’t hesitate another moment. Follow those footprints straight to your local public library and start solving mysteries today!

June 8, Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Pre-registration is required.
Call (205) 226-3665 for more information.
Linn-Henley Research Library
Arrington Auditorium
2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203