World Wrestling Entertainment Promotes Summer Reading
Teens and tweens from 28 New Jersey libraries will have the chance to win a trip to WWE®’s SummerSlam in Los Angeles this summer by taking part in the SummerSlam Reading Jam in support of the Summer Reading Program sponsored by the NJ Library Association and the NJ State Library. The SummerSlam Reading Jam is part of a pilot project of the WWE and the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Starting June 24, 500 libraries across the country began giving out posters featuring WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio®, Evan Bourne™, Beth Phoenix™ and Eve™ to the first 25 patrons between ages 10 and 18 who checked out two books. Each poster has a number. On July 17, WWEkids.com will post the winning and alternate numbers from the numbered posters.
The program was designed by WWE and YALSA to encourage teens and tweens to read for fun throughout the summer. WWE and YALSA also partner to offer the WrestleMania Reading Challenge each fall, in which teens are challenged to read a book a week for ten weeks and can win prizes as a reward.
“The SummerSlam Reading Jam allows WWE the opportunity to join forces with YALSA to promote youth literacy in support of President Obama’s United We Serve initiative,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE’s executive vice president of marketing. “Building upon our success in working with school and public libraries on our annual nationwide WrestleMania Reading Challenge during the school year, this new initiative gives us the opportunity to use our most popular summer event, SummerSlam, to extend our efforts to get young people to read into the summer.”
“Today’s teens and tweens have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have, said Sarah Debraski, YALSA president. “It’s important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read for fun. Having an incentive, such as the SummerSlam Reading Jam, is a fun way to encourage them to do so.”
Participating New Jersey Libraries
Barnegat Library
Carteret Public Library
Collingswood Public Library
Cranford Public Library
East Orange Public Library
Edison Township Public Library
Elizabeth, Dr.Orlando Edreira Academy
Fair Lawn, Maurice M Pine Free Public Library
Fanwood Memorial Library
Franklin Lakes Public Library
Hasbrouck Heights Public Library
Hillsborough Public Library
Jersey City Public Library- Main Library
Kenilworth Public Library
Manville Public Library
Marlton, Evesham Branch Library
Milltown Public Library
Monroe Township Library
Newark, North End Branch
Newark, Springfield Branch
Newark, Weequahic Branch
North Brunswick Public Library
North Plainfield Memorial Library
Ocean City Free Public Library
South Amboy, Sadie Pope Dowdell Library
Township of Washington Public Library
Warren County Library, Franklin Branch
Weehawken Free Public Library