Published Friday, May 29, 2009

Summer adult reading program offered

The Times-Herald

Summer reading is not just for the kids anymore.

With a goal of promoting literacy throughout its seven-county area, West Central Technical College -- soon to become West Georgia Technical College -- is launching a summer reading initiative, "Master the Art of Reading."

The summer adult reading program runs from June 6 through July 24 at WCTC campuses and libraries throughout Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, Heard, Meriwether and Troup counties.

The college, which becomes West Georgia Technical College in July after its merger with the tech college in LaGrange, hopes to encourage the community at large -- not just students -- to read this summer.

The college is partnering with the West Georgia Regional Library System, the Coweta County Library System and other area libraries and literacy providers to increase public access to the program.

"Reading is an essential skill in our society," WCTC President Skip Sullivan said. "As a college, our mission is work force development. A work force can't be prepared unless it can read. But even beyond that, reading opens us to new ideas, thoughts and possibilities we might never have considered. It is extremely important."

While area libraries have typically run summer reading programs for kids, Roni Tewksbury of the West Georgia Regional Library System said their system has wanted to run an adult summer reading program for years.

"It's always been about resources -- not having enough of them to do everything we want," she said. "But the partnership with West Georgia Tech makes it possible for us to do it this year."

Program events include book talks and presentations by a number of regional writers, including Georgia Writers Hall of Fame member Terry Kay, the Dixie Darlins (authors Patricia Sprinkle, Karen Gillespie, Jackie Miles and Julie Cannon), mystery writer Fran Stewart, Native American author Billie Jane McIntosh, and local author Shirley Garrett. Other events will be added as the project grows.

The program also requires participants to take a pledge -- to read at least one book this summer. For avid readers, that may sound like a small commitment, but as Sullivan pointed out, "reading is a real luxury for some, especially in terms of time. When we get away from reading, we forget how much it enriches us."

Sullivan said for busy people, months may pass without picking up a book. He said he hopes the program will remind people of the importance of taking the time to read.

Program participants can sign up and pledge through the West Georgia Regional Library System Web site where a full listing of program events can be found. Individuals who attend program events and pledge to read a book are entered into drawings for door prizes. For more information, contact Karen Kirchler at 770-838-2541.