TimesLeader.com

Summer Escapes

June 25
Get away at a sweet cost: Free

Aleksandra Djordjevic Abington Journal Correspondent

CLARKS SUMMIT - If you’re in the mood for a getaway and don’t want to break the bank, then the Abington Community Library is a possibility. Library Director Leah Ducato Rudolph culled the perspectives of two librarians and offered that the Library serves all kinds of interests, from programming to fun reads for kids.

Times Leader Photo Store

Young Adult Librarian Sandy Longo said, “We serve as a summer escape not only by providing reading selections for all interests and all ages but also by offering programming designed to inform, enrich and opportunities to share with those of similar interests.” Mary Ann McGrath, children’s librarian, said, “Summer is when children have time for recreational reading. The library is full of good escapist reads for them. On another note, the Children’s Room is particularly busy on rainy, dreary summer days and on days that are extremely hot, so I guess the moms are escaping the elements and keeping their children busy and occupied in a friendly, cost-free place.”

And a selection of books is available to help take a mental vacation and get away from it all. Rudolph said, “At the Abington Community Library, staff has selected a variety of books that they have enjoyed over the years. They are located in the ‘New Book’ section near the entrance and have green tape on their spines. Anyone of those books would make a good ‘literary escape.’” In terms of popular reads for this summer, Patti Pallo, a circulation staff member took note of what people are reading. They include: “The Appeal” by John Grisham, “The Chase” by Clive Cussler, “Fearless Fourteen” by Janet Evanovich, “Firefly Lane” by Kristin Hannah, “Sunday at Tiffany’s” by James Patterson and “Where are you now?” by Mary Higgins Clark.

And while each person has his or her individual reading tastes, the same goes for younger readers. McGrath said, “Fantasy remains a popular genre among young readers age 8 to12 years or so. They particularly like it when a fantasy writer has an ongoing series. Some of the new authors that come to mind are Rick Riordan, Kathryn Lasky and Suzanne Collins. Among the pre-schoolers, anything that has an animal in it is a winner, but they also gravitate to books about familiar TV and DVD characters, such as Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, and so forth. Older readers (kindergarten and up) are still animal lovers and like non-fiction books about them. As a matter of fact, non-fiction is enjoying an enormous popularity among elementary school children, boys as well as girls. It is a treat to see them sitting at the library tables completely engrossed in an informational book about a subject they are curious about.”

Teens also have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about themselves and their worlds by reading. Longo said, “Truthfully, popular reads for teens include The Clique Series, books on vampires and Manga, or Japanese comics. It is our hope that young readers will also take advantage of our incentives to read, and that students entering 7 to 12th grade will participate in our Battle of the Books.”

In addition to the library serving as a literary escape, another newly-constructed escape awaits patrons as they stop by for a book, movie or CD: an outdoor fountain. Rudolph said, “The fountain was installed in the Fall of 2007 during our exterior renovations. Just this week we had benches installed, making a perfect summer spot to begin that new novel or read a magazine. We anticipate using the area for events later this summer.”