Biggest Loser Results 2011

The Biggest Loser ended April 26th with Leanna F. taking home top prize by losing 9.23%. Three other participants lost over 8% of their body weight, and over 50% of our participants lost more than 2% during the 8-week period. In addition to the benefit of adopting a healthier lifestyle, our 19 participants lost a total of 121 pounds!

Throughout the Biggest Loser program, we had exercise sessions scheduled at various times on Monday thru Friday and sessions on adult fitness, nutrition and osteoporosis; how to use the Spark People website; and a food talk with Suzy Gill. The library’s resources of fitness, health and diet books as well as our various fitness videos were featured during the program.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Biggest Loser II!

Find-A-Book/2011 iREAD Summer Reading Program

Today from the Illinois State Library:
"Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is proud to join Governor Pat Quinn and Christopher Koch, Superintendent of the Illinois State Board of Education, in encouraging parents and librarians to check out an important website aimed at keeping children reading during the upcoming summer months when school is not in session.

The Find-a-Book website, www.lexile.com/findabook, has quick and easy access to a list of books that will match a child’s reading level and interests, as well as the nearest libraries carrying each title.

The Find-a-Book site uses a student’s reading score in Lexiles, a measure of reading ability and text difficulty derived from state standardized tests, including the ISAT. The website also features a search option to access appropriate book choices based on grade level and comfort with typical reading materials at that grade level.

Research has shown the powerful impact of continued reading. One review of the impact of summer reading found that children can lose up to 60 percent of their skills during a two-month vacation. Children who read during the summer months, however, can sustain their reading gains and are better prepared for learning when the school bell rings again in the fall.

Secretary White also encourages parents to talk with children about the fun and importance of summer reading and take them to the local public library. Librarians have information about Lexiles and other programs such as the iREAD program, a summer reading program offered through the Illinois Library Association (ILA)."

The 2011 iREAD Summer Reading Program theme is “A Midsummer Knight's Read.” Check the Lillie M. Evans Library website at http://lmelibrary.org for information on local programs and a calendar of events.