August 3, 2010 Young Readers Center Offers Summer Programs

Summer is a great time to tell and explore favorite or new stories. Twice a day, Monday through Friday, the Young Readers Center is offering a 20-minute reading event. The Young Readers Center (www.read.gov/yrc/), which opened its doors in October 2009 to young people accompanied by an adult, provides a Library of Congress experience uniquely suited to younger readers.

Following is the schedule of summer reading programs, which will continue through Friday, Sept. 10:

• 10:45 a.m.: Monday through Friday, visitors ages 5 and older are invited to drop in for a 20-minute reading from the center’s picture-book collection
• 2:45 p.m.: Visitors ages 8 and older may drop in for a 20-minute reading

• Monday and Friday: Favorite chapter books are featured
• Tuesday and Thursday: Reading Destinations – readings related to the 50 states
• Wednesday: Poetry

The Young Readers Center is located in Room G29 on the ground floor of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on occasional Saturdays. If you are planning on visiting on a Saturday, call the center first at (202) 707-1950 to be sure it will be open.

The Center for the Book (www.loc.gov/cfbook/), which operates the Young Readers Center, was established by Congress in 1977 “to use the resources and prestige of the Library of Congress to promote books, reading, literacy and libraries.” With its many educational programs that reach readers of all ages, through its support of the National Book Festival and through its dynamic state centers in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Center for the Book has developed a nationwide network of organizational partners dedicated to promoting the wonders and benefits of reading. The center also oversees the new Read.gov website, with its exclusive “Exquisite Corpse Adventure” serialized story. The “Exquisite Corpse” will conclude during this year’s National Book Festival on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on the National Mall. For more details, visit www.loc.gov/bookfest/.