San Bernardino County libraries celebrating Dr. Seuss, Read Across America

The San Bernardino County Library is celebrating the gift of reading with a lineup of events and programs now through April at its 32 branches.

Going on now and continuing through this weekend, the libraries are taking part in Read Across America, sharing the joy of literacy and celebrating beloved author, Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

Read Across America is the National Education Association’s reading initiative and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

Each branch will host a special-themed storytime or event featuring popular Dr. Seuss stories, and select branches will even include crafts, activities and offer opportunity drawings and more.

The Feldheym Central Library will be offering a Read Across America storytime at 10:30 a.m. in the Bing Wong Auditorium, 555 W. 6th Street in San Bernardino.

Special guests Mayor R. Carey Davis and CHP Officer Brian Alvarez will be reading to children and retired children’s librarian, Mary Chartier, will be leading members of the audience in an interactive story as part of the celebration. The program is free and open to the public.

The Rialto Branch Library will host a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party March 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. and everyone is invited to revel in festivities.

Pin the heart on the Grinch, a scavenger hunt and rhyming games among others will be part of the fun to be had, said library officials. For those who check out 10 books, library staff will offer a mystery incentive item for an additional prize. The event is free and open to the public.

In continuing the celebration for reading, the county library is once again partnering with In-N-Out Burger for it’s Cover to Cover program, kicking off March 4 and continuing through April 15.

As part of the program, children ages 4-12 who read a set of five books will receive an achievement award and voucher for a free hamburger or cheeseburger. Each child may earn a total of three awards and vouchers for the duration of the program. The Cover to Cover program is an aim at promoting reading among children during spring.

To participate in the Cover to Cover program, visit any of the 32 San Bernardino County Branch Libraries to register. Participants must be between the ages of 4 and 12, and a parent or guardian will need to sign to acknowledge reading accomplishments.

To learn more about programs and events offered at each San Bernardino County Library branch, visit www.sbpl.org or www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends/

For more information on NEA’s Read Across America, visit www.readacrossamerica.org.