This year the Children's Department of the Newport Public Library is adding a new component to its Summer Reading Program. The state-wide Summer Reading Theme is called, "Catch the Reading Bug." The Newport Public Library is calling the new addition to their program, "Catch the Reading Bug and Pass It On!" In addition to reading for a certificate, free book and a small toy prize, Newport children will also be encouraged to read in order to provide a donation of honeybees to a family in a third world country through the charity organization, Heifer International. The Children's Department is challenging the children registered in the Summer Reading Program to read a combined total of 700 books between now and August 13th. If the reading challenge is met, a gift of bees will be made. The library hopes that providing a goal through the reading challenge will inspire more children to read more books. The program also offers each child the opportunity to participate in the effort to end world hunger, improve the environment and learn about being global citizens.

Bees make an excellent gift for a struggling third world family because they are easy to keep and require almost no space. Once the hive is established, they are inexpensive to maintain. Placed near fruit trees and vegetable gardens, beehives can double fruit and vegetable yields. A package of Heifer bees and a hive provides families with better crops, candle wax, pollen for medicine and honey to eat and to sell.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization that has helped over four million impoverished families in 128 countries move away from poverty toward self-reliance. Heifer International provides a living animal and extensive training in animal care, community development and earth-friendly farming practices. The family's health and standard of living improves from the benefits their animal provides.

To register for the Newport Public Library's Summer Reading Program and participate in the reading challenge, stop by the Children's Desk at 300 Spring Street, register online at http://host.evanced.info/newport/sr/homepage.asp or call 847-8720 ext. 204. For more information on Heifer International, visit www.heifer.org.