OKC ZOO, METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM LAUNCH STATEWIDE LITERACY PROGRAM

“Read for Adventure” continues providing win-win opportunity for communities across the state!"

This spring brings a new venture for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden and Metropolitan Library System with the statewide launch of their community literacy program, “Read for Adventure.” This successful promotion and partnership is going Oklahoma wide, welcoming every public library across the state to participate at no cost. “Read for Adventure” enables library card holders to check out the original children’s book, Our Day at the Zoo, from any of the 247 public library locations within the state to receive four general admission ticket vouchers to the OKC Zoo.

OKC Zoo and Metro Library launched “Read for Adventure” last February throughout all 19 metro library locations and experienced great success with over 3,000 Zoo vouchers distributed to card holders within a year. The community program was created to promote literacy within families, increase their contact with the outdoors and provide an outlet for invaluable, nature-inspired discoveries. 

“Read for Adventure is a rewarding program that we’re excited to share with all Oklahomans,” said Greg Heanue, OKC Zoo senior director of marketing, public relations. “We hope this promotion will not only inspire children to read about wildlife, but provide them an opportunity to physically and visually connect with those same animals and plants here at the Zoo.”

The book at the center of the “Read for Adventure” program, Our Day at the Zoo, was written by Kristin Williamson and illustrated by Rick George both Metro Library staff members. Story concepts stemmed from students with Positive Tomorrows school while on a field trip to the OKC Zoo. The children toured the Zoo and talked about the animals they saw and what they were doing. A theme evolved from their ideas and conversations: If I were a zoo animal, this is what I’d do!

Langley Public Library will take part in the “Read for Adventure” which begins May 1, 2018 and continues through March 31, 2019. Zoo ticket vouchers are good through March 31, 2019. We have two copies of the book and plenty of Zoo tickets to hand out.  We will also host the Oklahoma City Zoo, June 4 at 1:30pm for a “Roarchestra” Performance. For more information about our Summer Library Program please contact us at 918-782-4461 or just drop by the Library.

Go wild this summer with the “Read for Adventure” program and experience your own day at the Zoo! The Oklahoma City Zoo, located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, is a proud Adventure Road partner and a member of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Buildings close at 4:45 p.m. daily. Regularadmission is $8 for adults, and $5 for children 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Are you a Zoo fan? Find us atFacebook, Instagram and Twitter. To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit www.okczoo.org.