The Jersey City Free Public Library has been offering the children of Jersey City an outstanding Summer Reading Program for over 30 years. For some of these children, this is their 'Summer camp.' The program runs eight weeks, this year, from June 25- August 17, for children from (K-8) grades. This year's statewide theme was "Get a Clue @ Your Library" and for young adults "YNK - You Never Know @ Your Library."
The Library provides a safe haven for these children throughout the summer by offering them a diverse program of activities and a good dose of reading. For SRP 2007, there were 569 children who participated throughout the eight weeks, with a total of 16,442 books read by all!
This year, the children went to various trips, such as two trips to the Newark Museum - bus sponsored by Council President Mariano Vega, and Great Adventure - bus sponsored by Freeholder Eliu Rivera. They also partook in crafts sessions, movies, parties, games, and performers.
One trip in particular was extremely successful, thanks to Carmine Tabone and the Educational Arts Team. On Saturday, August 11th a trip with over 150 Summer Reading Program participants were taken to Camp Liberty to experience a full day of camping. These children from all over Jersey City, which, due to a variety of reasons, cannot afford Summer camp, enjoyed a full day of swimming, playing basketball and baseball, running and spending a carefree day away from the city.
Thanks to sponsors, such as Mrs. Sandra Cunningham, New Town Liquors & Deli, and BJ Inc, the children were able to feast on 150 slices of pizza, 150 hotdogs with all the trimmings, 200 juices, 100 donuts, and chips. Also, thanks to the Hudson County Schools of Technology
for providing buses, thus making it possible to transport these children from all over city. SRP 2007 ended this August 17th and it was an exhausting Summer for staff and myself. However, for these hundreds of children that participated in the program and who have read thousands of books, this was an unforgettable summer.
Thank you to all our sponsors who had contributed time and money for the benefit of our children.
Sonia Araujo
Assistant Library Director
JC Free Public Library
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