SUMMER READING PRIZES FOR MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARIES

If your library is conducting a Summer Reading Program for children or teens, the Western Massachusetts Library Advocates (WMLA) and contributing sponsors have incentives to supplement your program.

The WMLA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that we have arranged with the Eastern States Exposition to provide each Massachusetts library conducting a summer reading program free tickets for this fall’s Big E (9/12-28/14) in West Springfield.  The Big E will provide two (2) free general admission tickets to each library in Massachusetts with the understanding that these tickets will be used as incentives or rewards for children and teens to encourage them to read over the summer.  

In addition, Yankee Candle has created a prize for the Summer Reading Program. It is a free wax hand mold and is redeemable at their flagship store in South Deerfield. Yankee Candle has a section of the store called Wax Works where guests are allowed to make molds of their hands in wax, color the mold and bring them home. The wax hand normally retails for $8.

Friendly’s is a new sponsor this year.  They are providing 5,000 bookmarks including a coupon for a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal.  WMLA will distribute the number of coupons based on a population formula. 

To participate—NOTE PROCEDURE CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR

We have so many prizes this year, we need to ship via MLS delivery.  If your library is not on the delivery network, contact Jan Resnick at njrezz@comcast.net.

• Prepare a large (10x13) envelope with a DELIVERY ROUTING SLIP made out to your library. 
• Address the DELIVERY ROUTING SLIP to YOUR library with “ATTN:  [your library’s person designated to receive these valuable prizes.]”
• Place the ROUTING SLIP Envelope (IT’S OK TO FOLD IT) inside another envelope.

Mail to:

   WMLA

   ATTN:  SUMMER READING 

   P. O. BOX 609

   South Deerfield, MA 01373

NOTE: Your request must be received by WMLA by Thursday, July 3, 2014.

For security reasons, DO NOT write the words “Tickets” or “Big E” on the outside of your envelopes.

One request for each library building.  For public library systems with branch libraries, you will need to tell us how many branches for which you need prizes.

The only request that our donors have made of Massachusetts public libraries receiving these prizes is that the public be notified of their donation to encourage reading among our young people.  Please add to or create signs or posters with the sponsor information. 

The sponsors suggest that winners of the prizes be chosen through a random drawing of names at the end of your summer reading program.

WMLA Board members will process your requests and mail the tickets shortly after July 17th.

Other questions, contact Jan Resnick at njrezz@comcast.net.