Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Annual Extravaganza Returns for 2022!
Dive into Summer Reading on Sunday, June 12 at the Library’s Oakland location
On Sunday, June 12, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Extravaganza returns. The all-ages event will be held from noon to 5 pm at CLP – Main in Oakland (4400 Forbes Avenue, 15213), with live performances, crafts, games, storytelling, food trucks, a scavenger hunt and more.
“Since 2000 Extravaganza has been Pittsburgh’s official start to Summer Reading,” said Olivia Hric, Manager, Special Events and Campaigns. “We are thrilled to bring this summer tradition back for families of all ages. Families will recognize a few familiar activities, including the fan favorite decorating an Eat’nPark Smiley Cookie, but there will also be a few can’t miss surprises. We are also expanding to include a quieter programming space for families.”
The Library’s Annual Extravaganza event also marks the beginning of 2022 Summer Reading – a program designed to mitigate the learning slip children experience over the summer, as well as provide an outlet for families to learn and read together. This year is especially critical as students have fallen behind the learning curve as classroom learning has been disrupted due to the pandemic. According to a recent NY Times article, about a third of children in the youngest grades are missing reading benchmarks in 2022.
Reading as little as five books over the summer months helps kids and teens retain the skills they learned during the school year. Kids also need to see the adults in their life reading. The best way to show a child that reading is an important, fun activity (that it isn’t just something we do at school) is to model reading yourself.
Patrons can sign up online at carnegielibrary.org/summer, in the app, or use a book log to record their books. When registering online, participants can choose any CLP location as their summer reading location. Anyone who logs at least one book per month will be entered into a $25 Visa gift card drawing. All children and teens can pick a free book at any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location, regardless of whether they are registered for Summer Reading or not.
Information on Extravaganza: carnegielibrary.org/event/summer-reading-extravaganza-2022/
Information on Summer Reading: carnegielibrary.org/summer
Extravaganza Details
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza
June 12 | noon to 5 pm
CLP – Main, Oakland
4400 Forbes Avenue, 15213
Festivalgoers will have the chance to enroll in summer reading programs, explore local history, play reading games, check out the Library’s annual book sale, and decorate their own Eat’n Park smiley cookie. If spectating is more your style, live performances from local STACKS artists and more will be going on all afternoon.
Throughout the day attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with Andrew Medlar, the Library’s new President & Director, as well as learn about library services.
Activities:
- Scavenger Hunt
- Historical Tours
- Kids Club
- Teen Time
- Storytimes
- Sensory Friendly Space
- Bouncy House and Inflatable Games
- Balloon Artistry by Mike the Balloon Guy
- Used Book Sale
- Summer Reading Enrollment/Library Card Sign-Ups
- And more!
Food & Drink:
- Decorate and enjoy your own Eat’n Park Smiley Cookie
- Grab a granola bar and piece of fruit from the snack tent courtesy of 412 Food Rescue and Giant Eagle
- Purchase food from local food trucks donating a portion of proceeds to the Library
Performances:
- Live music by STACKS artists Gallo Locknez and Sleeping Witch & Saturn!
Website: carnegielibrary.org/event/summer-reading-extravaganza-2022/
###
