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November Read-Aloud Experiences Record Participation!
December 8, 2006
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 2006 November Read-Aloud Program, "Join the Curious Crowd! Read Aloud," produced more family reading activity than ever before in the program's 22-year history.
A total of 27,561 individuals in families and local day cares were inspired by the popular storybook monkey Curious George to read aloud together to instill the love of books and learning in young children. This represented a 91% increase over 2005 participation of 14,450.
This IMCPL reading initiative, co-sponsored by Teachers Credit Union, the Indiana Blood Center, Emmis Communications and WFYI, was part of a month-long series of activities at all branch locations that encouraged families to spend time strengthening the reading habit. These included visits by the Curious George character and the launch of the Library's "My First Library Card" effort to provide first-time library cards to preschoolers.
The InfoZone branch, located within The Children's Museum, experienced a 379% increase over 2005 participation with 1,079 participants. Eleven IMCPL branches more than doubled last year's participation. IMCPL branch and agency participation totals:
| Branch | Participants | Increase over 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Brightwood Branch 2435 N. Sherman Drive |
251 | 10% |
| College Avenue Branch 4180 N. College Avenue |
550 | 173% |
| Decatur Branch 5301 Kentucky Avenue |
827 | 24% |
| Eagle Branch 3325 Lowry Road |
699 | 66% |
| East Washington Branch 2822 E. Washington St. |
440 | 41% |
| East 38th Street Branch 5420 E. 38th St. |
643 | 113% |
| Flanner House Branch 2424 Dr. M.L. King Jr. St. |
459 | -4% |
| Fountain Square Branch 1066 Virginia Avenue |
506 | 75% |
| Franklin Road Branch 5550 S. Franklin Road |
2,142 | 53% |
| Glendale Branch 6101 N. Keystone Avenue |
2,104 | 230% |
| Haughville Branch 2121 W. Michigan Street |
642 | 110% |
| InfoZone 3000 N. Meridian Street |
1,092 | 379% |
| Irvington Branch 5625 E. Washington Street |
779 | 107% |
| Lawrence Branch 7898 N. Hague Road |
2,474 | 150% |
| Nora Branch 8625 Guilford Avenue |
1,187 | 61% |
| Outreach Service Section 2450 N. Meridian St. |
4,507 | 36% |
| Pike Branch 6525 Zionsville Road |
1,387 | 249% |
| Riley Room at Interim Central Library 202 N. Alabama Street |
473 | 90% |
| Shelby Branch 2502 Shelby Street |
645 | 158% |
| Southport Branch 2630 E. Stop 11 Road |
1,740 | 84% |
| Spades Park Branch 1801 Nowland Avenue |
440 | -10% |
| Warren Branch 9701 E. 21st Street |
1,449 | 203% |
| Wayne Branch 198 S. Girls School Road |
1,469 | 261% |
| West Indianapolis Branch 1216 S. Kappes St. |
656 | 84% |
The 2006 November Read-Aloud Program was part of the Library's renewed emphasis on early literacy intended to introduce young children to language concepts and help them develop into enthusiastic readers.
Parents are invited to bring their young children to any IMCPL branch for regularly-scheduled storytime programs where language and reading skills are developed through stories, fingerplays, rhymes and playful interaction.
For a schedule of programs, visit your local branch or log on to the Library's website.
