Acclaimed performer Jim Gill picks up his banjo for a special online concert event to kick off the Dayton Metro Library’s Summer Challenge! Jim Gill’s Concert of Music Play will inspire the whole family to sing, play, and read along together – from the comfort and safety of home.
The concert can be viewed on the Library’s Facebook page for 48 hours starting Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. through Wednesday, June 3 at 9:00 a.m.
“Children need to move and play now more than ever, and families need to experience the joy that singing and playing together brings,” said Mandie Burns, Director of Youth Services for the Library. “We’re excited to kick off our Summer Challenge in this innovative way.”
The Library’s Summer Challenge, IMAGINE YOUR STORY, runs June 1 to August 1.
“It’s a different kind of Summer Challenge this year, with lots of new activities that can be counted toward goals,” said Burns. “Reading is as important as ever. But kids can also watch wonderful online performances, participate in virtual summer camps, complete electronic activities or enjoy any organization’s recommended enrichment activities. It all adds up toward earning prizes in this year’s Summer Challenge.”
Families are encouraged to register and keep track online at DaytonMetroLibrary.org/summer beginning June 1. Families without internet access can keep track on paper and call in their progress to the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937-463-2665. Participants, from preschoolers through high schoolers, will earn prizes when they reach milestones along the way. All those who reach 3600 minutes will be entered into Grand Prize Drawings held at each Branch Library: a College Savings Account, made possible through Ohio’s College Advantage/Ohio’s 529 Plan (for kindergarten and younger only) or a Family 4-Pack of Tickets to King’s Island, valid through 2020 (including Halloween, Christmas/New Year events).
“When our Libraries closed in March to help stop the spread of COVID-19, our plans for the Summer Challenge changed, but our goal to keep children engaged in learning became more important than ever,” said Burns. “We’ve broadened our ideas about what learning looks like in this environment. We’re partnering with organizations that share our goals so that we can reach and impact more families, and we’re excited to offer programs like the Jim Gill concert online.”
Jim Gill has been a popular performer at the Library, and his songs and musical books are often shared during storytimes. His creative “music play” inspires children – and the adults who love and care for them – to sing, clap and dance together.
Gill is a musician, author, and child development specialist who completed his graduate studies in child development with an emphasis on the study of play. Each of his recordings and books is created as an opportunity for playful interactions between a child and a caring adult. His work has been recognized and honored by the American Library Association.
“Anyone who has experienced one of Jim’s family concerts knows it’s not about sitting an passively watching. Jim manages to get everyone up and moving, laughing and singing together,” said Burns.
More online performances are scheduled this summer, each available for viewing for 24 hours on the Library’s Facebook page:
The Caravan Found Sounds – Monday, June 8, 10 a.m.
The Caravan Song Sandwich – Monday, June 22, 12 p.m.
Joanie Calem Family Concert – Monday, June 29, 10 a.m.
Storyteller Lindsay Bonilla – Monday, July 6, 10 a.m.
“We’re especially excited to host two virtual summer camps, to give kids a more in-depth experience,” said Burns. “We’ll have an online version of our Career Adventures Camp for middle school students in June. In July, we’re partnering with ThinkTV/PBS Kids for a virtual Adventure and Reading Camp for children in kindergarten through third grade.”
Attending any online Library program can be counted in the Summer Challenge.
For more information about the Summer Challenge or any of the Library’s online programming, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or Facebook.com/