Tales of pirates and buried treasure have fascinated youngsters for centuries.
In honor of the American Library Association’s library card sign-up month, the county library system has created a treasure map at branch libraries so kids can look for hidden pirate treasure next month.
The hunt will take them from Swedesboro, to Logan, to Greenwich, to Mullica Hill, to Glassboro, with a longer optional journey to Newfield.
“We thought we would do something locally to encourage people of all ages to get a library card by making a treasure map that will be fun for children and families,” Assistant Library Director Judith Pissano said. “Another goal was to get patrons to visit the other branches as well. The goal for children is to go to all of the branches and fill up your treasure chest.”
Families who want to participate in Pages and Places: The Great Library Treasure Hunt! can go to any county library branch, where their children will get a treasure map and treasure chest to collect coins and gems.
“It will be a lot of fun,” said Crysta Miller, teen librarian for the county system. “Every child likes pirates and they always look forward to finding things.”
Any patron who visits a county branch can participate by presenting a library card. Those at branches in Glassboro, Greenwich, Logan, Mullica Hill and Swedesboro will have their names placed in a prize raffle, Pissano said, as they will in Newfield.
Treasure hunters should submit completed maps to their home libraries by Sept. 30, and the grand prize winner from each branch will be notified by Oct. 6.
“As you visit each library, present your treasure map and library card to staff at the front desk, along with an item to check out,” Pissano explained. “Upon doing so, staff will send you on a treasure hunt, stamp your treasure map and provide you with a treasure.
“Visit as many branches as possible to fill your treasure chest,” she added, noting that the hunt will expose participants to offerings at each library.
“We want to draw people into the physical building,” she noted. “People do not realize all the things we have – such as board games, card games and lawn games – that can be checked out. We also have STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) kits for students.”
For information and instructions on how kids can get involved in the hunt for pirate treasure, visit www.gcls.org or call (856) 223-6050.
