CHAMPAIGN CITY COUNCIL: Summer Reading Kicks Off with a Power Up Party! on May 20

By Press release submission

May 25, 2018

Champaign City Council issued the following announcement on May 20.

THE CHAMPAIGN PUBLIC LIBRARY invites community members to a celebration of reading—with live music, a Tech Fair, Superhero Storytime, and more throughout the afternoon on Sunday, May 20 (12–6 pm).

Let’s get ready to read together all summer with the Power Up at the Library! Summer Reading Game (May 20 to August 19) for kids, teens, and adults. Prizes include books, backpacks, and more. Grand prizes include a Samsung Galaxy tablet, Fire HD 8 tablet, and a Lego “Classic” kit with 800 pieces. Sign up at bit.ly/cpl-read-together.

Entertainment and activities include:

• Samba Soul, traditional and contemporary Brazilian music

• Los Guapos, Latin music from Central and South America

• Dorothy Martirano + Armand Beaudoin with Tango dancers

• David Howie “Kindie” concerts especially for kids

• Superhero Storytime + Superhero Flying Photos

• Roving Superheroes

• Face painting

• Tech Fair with 10 hands-on stations throughout the building: Ozobots, VR (virtual reality), digital microscopes, littleBit kits, BB-8 robot races, Makey Makey kits, 3D pens, light-up paper circuits, big-screen PS4 and Just Dance, plus a chance to test drive the Chromebooks, hotspots, and Kindles available for checkout from the library.

First 300 kids and teens to sign up get a free Summer Reading T-shirt!

The afternoon activities also include the start of a new exhibition, “The Art Connection: Schools to Library,” featuring artwork by 75 Champaign students, curated by their art teachers. The show is presented in partnership with the Champaign Unit 4 Schools and includes Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, Dr. Howard Elementary School, and Central High School. A reception will be held in the FriendShop Bookstore (3–4 pm) with cookies and lemonade served.

The Library is also celebrating ten years since the Main Library building opened.

Power Up at the Library Summer Events

• June 7, Start + Grow Your Business: Digital Marketing Essentials, 8 am

• June 9, The Amazing Strong Man, 3 pm

• June 13, DIY Kids: Superheroes, 4 pm @ Douglass

• June 14, Power Up Trivia Night, 7 pm

• June 16, Juneteenth Celebration in Douglass Park, 12–3 pm

• June 23, Superhero Family Yoga, 3 pm

• July 3, Fit + Fabulous: Zumba Gold, 10 am

• July 17, Superhero Family Yoga, 2 pm @ Douglass

• July 24, Entrepreneurship 101 for Teens, 10–2:30 pm

• July 24, Power Up with Healthy Eating: Reading Nutrition Labels, 7 pm