MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC LIBRARY HOST’S ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SUMMER READING PROGRAM

The Miami-Dade Public Library System, in partnership with the Miami Dolphins Foundation, celebrated the end of another successful Summer Reading Program with a Grand Prize party at the Coral Gables Branch Library on Saturday, August 15, and a presentation of certificates to some of the top readers during a Miami Dolphins game on Saturday, August 22.

More than 26,000 children, teens and adults read in the program, which ran from June 13 to July 25, and more than 55,000 attended library programs that included storytelling, magic and wildlife shows, art and environmental awareness workshops, and visits with Miami Dolphins players, cheerleaders and alumni. Participants also had the opportunity to win weekly passes to top local attractions such as the Miami Seaquarium, Miami Science Museum, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Grand Prize party goers were treated to a magic show and autographs from Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. Sixty grand prizes were awarded. These included laptops, iPods, autographed footballs and jersey from the Miami Dolphins, tickets to Dolphins pre-season games, tickets to a performance of the Nutcracker, Miami Seaquarium birthday party for 10, bikes, a pair of Heelys, and a guitar. At the Miami Dolphins game on August 22, several of the children, who read for the entire duration of the program, were recognized during an on-field presentation.

The Summer Reading Program is annual initiative, of the Miami-Dade Public Library System, which encourages children to continue reading while school is on recess.

The program was sponsored by the Miami Dolphins Foundation, with media support from Univision, WLTV Ch. 23.