Tuscarawas County Public Library to celebrate Teen Read Week
Area teens will be reading for the fun of it as the Tuscarawas County Public Library celebrates Teen Read Week, October 18-24. 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. 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.“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,” said Darlene Dotto, teen program coordinator. “That is why it’s important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read.”
The Tuscarawas County Public Library hopes to increase teen literacy locally by offering a series of programs for teens during Teen Read Week. Teens are invited to visit all their locations - Bolivar, Sugarcreek, Strasburg, Tuscarawas, and New Philadelphia for special events and contests to celebrate Teen Read Week. During Teen Read Week and in conjunction with the One Book One Community Program, Writer to Writer will be held at the Daily Grind in New Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 3:30 p.m. Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Friday Night Lights, Buzz Bissinger will be on hand to chat about his journey as a writer.
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 Dotto agreed. “One of the most important ways teens acquire the habit is by watching adults they respect.” Dotto also invites area teens to join the after school book discussion club, Bookin’ It! which meets monthly at the library in New Philadelphia.