CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS & SERVICES Summer Reading Program 2008 starts May 23! Catch the Reading Bug  WEEKLY STORYTIMES The introduction of books and reading at an early age is essential in developing a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Your East Central Georgia Regional Library provides storytime programs to acquaint children with the library and to encourage reading. During storytimes, children are entertained by stories being read, storytelling, puppets, songs, games, crafts and other appropriate activities. The library publishes a system-wide monthly calendar of events that lists all scheduled programs and activities, including: Toddler Times - for 2 year olds Preschool Storytimes -for 3-5 year olds After School Storytimes -for parents and children of all ages Storytime dates and times can also be found on the library’s website or by calling your local branch library. SPECIAL PROGRAMS The Children’s Department sponsors special programs for holidays, Children’s Book Week, National Library Week and other events. BOOKLISTS The library staff has compiled some booklists for suggested reading to and with your children. Here are links to two of those: Children's African-American Booklist Children's Issues/Concerns Booklist Please note that these lists are in Acrobat .pdf format. If you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer, please click on the Adobe link below to download and install it.  DAYCARE/HEADSTART PROVIDERS We encourage early childhood education groups to immerse their children in the many varied rewards of reading. Groups are always welcome to request a storytime for their children. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for all groups to participate at least once during the course of a year. Priority will be given to those groups that have not attended a storytime during the current year. Please notify the library as soon as possible if your group needs to cancel a visit. No-shows will not be able to reschedule for a specified time. Please contact your local branch library for more information or to schedule a storytime.  OUTREACH SERVICES The Children’s Department staff is available to serve those groups beyond the walls of the library. We are available to come to your facility upon request. Services include: giving library talks to various groups to promote the total library experience. providing storytime for special programs at schools and daycare/headstart centers. providing library card registration. promoting the library as a fun and exciting place for learning. providing reading lists for parents and providers. Home school parents or groups are also encouraged to visit the library and/or schedule a storytime for their children or groups. Please call 706-821-2623 or 2631 for more information or to schedule a special program for your class, school or center.  For Internet LINKS FOR CHILDREN,  look HERE.