DEKALB COUNTY - Whether you are one or 101, DeKalb County Public Library is a place you will want to spend time this summer. The Library's Vacation Reading Program (VRP) for children and teens began May 24 and runs through July 31; and this year, there is a special reading club for adults as well as programs for babies, children and teens.

 "Catch the Reading Bug" is the 2008 VRP theme for children 3 to 12 years, while "Metamorphosis" is the teen program theme. Both offer opportunities for participants to win wonderful prizes for time spent with books. Sponsors and library partners in VRP this year include the Fernbank Museum of National History, Zoo Atlanta, Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits, Univision and the DeKalb County School System. The program also is supported by the Library Services and Technology Act, as administered by the Georgia Public Library Service.

In addition, the Library offers a special VRP, called Wee Reader, which encourages parents and caregivers to read to their babies ages birth to 2 years old. Incentives for this program are provided by Target®. As further encouragement, parents and caregivers also are offered the special library card for babies called "My First Card."

Youth Services Coordinator Sharon Deeds says the greatest benefit of the Vacation Reading Program, however, is not the prizes and other incentives the children win.

"Reading to your baby helps with cognitive development," she notes. "And reading just a few books over the summer months can help your school age children maintain their reading levels so that they don't fall behind in reading skills when school resumes."

For the first time this year, the Library also is planning a summer reading program for adults, called "Pollinate Your Mind." The program runs from May 27 to September 2 and will offer library card holders, 18 years or older, an opportunity to read books for fun and prizes from the AJC-Decatur Book Festival, 7 Stages Theatre and Horizon Theatre. Adult Services Coordinator Alison Weissinger says the Library thinks this is something that will attract a lot of patron interest.

"Our patrons have asked for something like this for a long time. We think it will be lots of fun, build excitement for the Georgia Center for the Book's new "25 Books by Living Georgia Writers" list and give us public input on good books to read that we can share with all our patrons."

Hundreds of free, special activities that both children and parents can enjoy are part of the Library's summer plans as well. You will find programs about everything ranging from how to make chocolate to how to create your own comic book. Lots of movies, storytellers, puppet shows, craft projects, science programs and game days are scheduled, too.

For more information, ask for program schedules at your local branch or check the Library's web site