25 WINNERS CHOSEN TO SEE THE WIGGLES!

The New Jersey State Library and local libraries from across the state have partnered with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority to encourage readers to “Read Like a Library Champion” during their local library’s Summer Reading Program by giving them the opportunity to win tickets to IZOD Center events by logging in the books they read at at www.njlibrarychampions.org. Discount tickets for select IZOD Center family shows are also available at www.IZODcenter.com, by using the code LIBRARY.

Congratulations to the 25 summer readers who won a family four-pack of tickets to see The Wiggles on Aug. 17 by participating in their local library’s program:

Demetrick Family – Clark Library

Bertinato Family – Clifton Library

Schwartz Family – Clifton Library Allwood

Bartram Family – East Brunswick Library

Fiumaro Family – North Edison Library

Mauer Family – Fanwood Library

Kusznier Family – High Bridge

Quinn Family – Howell Library

Krempasky Family – Hunterdon County Library

Sammet Family – Kenilworth Library

Klesitz Family – Kinnelon Library

Johnson Family – Roxbury Library

Goriscak Family – Sussex County Library

Pennino Family – Jefferson Library

Lincoln Family – Old Bridge Library

Catania Family – Oradell Library

Dharia Family – Princeton Library

Silva Family – West Windsor

Steinfeld Family – South Plainfield Library

Fritton Family – Warren County Library Franklin Branch

Hart Family – Waldwick Library

North Family - Warren County Library Franklin Branch

Siuffe Family – Wayne Library

Hecht Family – Wayne Township Library

Abdelfattah Family - Alfred Baumann Library West Paterson

The contest for free tickets to see Sesame Street Live from Sep. 30 to Oct. 3 started August 1.  Contests to win tickets to see Disney Live! On Nov 12-13; and Disney on Ice Nov. 23-28 will start soon.

For the past eight years, The State Library has supported the NJ Library Association’s Summer Reading Program with a $50,000 grant. This worthwhile initiative attracts thousands of children and teens each year. In 2009, over 145,000 children and teens across New Jersey participated, reading over two million books. Since its inception, the Summer Reading Program has inspired and motivated children to read purely for fun, without the pressure of taking tests or writing book reports, keeping their minds sharp, improving their reading skills and expanding their imaginations.

Library Champions is a community based public awareness campaign featuring role models from the sports, entertainment and literary fields designed to encourage reading and educate the public about the important role New Jersey libraries have in transforming the lives of their customers. Celebrity Library Champions include Yankee’s pitcher A.J. Burnett, Devil’s forward Zach Parise, Giant’s defensive end Justin Tuck, Net’s guard Devin Harris and best-selling author and New Jersey native, Judy Blume.

For more information on winning tickets to great shows at the Izod Center, check with your local library and sign up for their Summer Reading Program.

The New Jersey State Library and the Meadowlands Sports Complex have partnered to promote the valuable role reading plays in helping everyone succeed in life. To participate in our "Read- Just like a NJ Library Champion!" program tell us the name of a book you have read to be entered into a drawing to receive four free tickets to see: