SAN JOSÉ, Calif. ---San José Public Library’s Summer Reading Celebration (SRC) kicks off on Saturday, June 1st, 2012 at all 19 locations. This year’s theme allows children to Dream, Big, teens can Own the Night and adults can stay up reading Into the Night.

Each year 10,000-14,000 participate in the reading celebration and earn prizes as they read making it for a fun and rewarding summer. Signing up for SRC is quick, easy and free.  Once the sign-up is completed, every eBook, audio book and/or book the participant reads or listens to from June 1st, 2012 through July 31st, 2012 will count toward program prize requirements.  One lucky adult winner will have the chance to win the grand prize, a Kindle Fire.  Full prize details are available at www.sjpl.org/summer.   

This year, all are invited to the library’s first ever system-wide kickoff celebration at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 from 1-4 p.m.   The kickoff event invites people of all ages to participate in a scavenger hunt inside the King Library. The scavenger hunt will be divided into three groups: families with small children, teens and adults.  Each group will have their own set of clues and will have to search for hidden treasures inside the library to win a prize. The kickoff event will also feature a community resource fair and plenty of live entertainment.   

Also, the library will once again hold its 4^th annual Graphic Novel Making Contest.  The contest is open to all ages.  Entries must be submitted by 8 p.m. on July 31st, 2012 at any San José Public Library location – one entry per contestant.  A panel of library staff and comic industry professionals will judge entries based on content and illustrations.  Winners will be announced during a reception held at the Berryessa Branch Library on August 25th, 2012 at 2 p.m. For full details visit www.sjpl.org/graphicnovelcontest

Not only does the Summer Reading Celebration provide great prizes for reading and fun contests but will also feature more than 100 events for all ages that include live performances, activities and programs.  Check the library’s online calendar page at www.sjpl.org/calendar for event details and listings at all 19 locations. 

The Summer Reading Celebration is made possible with additional support from the Friends of the King Library and branch library Friends groups.

For more information on the Summer Reading Celebration contact your local branch library or visit www.sjpl.org/summer.

About San José Public Library

San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library system between San Francisco and Los Angeles, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately 946,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city.  SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest library systems nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of nearly 14 million items.