Another great season of Summer Reading kicks off this month at public libraries around Idaho with books, projects, games, prizes, and fun. Kids across Idaho are invited to sign up at their local library for this popular and successful program designed to continue the development of language skills and increase reading skills.
Summer Reading activities are offered free to children statewide, with support from the Idaho Commission for Libraries. Last summer, kids at 117 Idaho public libraries from Bonners Ferry to Bear Lake participated.
“Idaho public libraries had record Summer Reading program registrations in 2009, serving 63,300 children,” said State Librarian Ann Joslin. “The Commission supports Summer Reading because we know that children who read over the summer will maintain or improve their reading readiness when they go back to school.”
This year, like last year, the Commission will distribute books to participating libraries to be given away to children who attend their summer reading programs. These books, purchased with “Books for Summer Readers Program” grant funding from the Fred Meyer Corporation, help stretch libraries’ limited budgets and make it possible to give books to children who do not have books of their own. Librarians also report that books are a strong motivation for many children to participate in summer reading and reach their reading goals.
In addition to providing reading incentives to children, libraries offering Summer Reading also provide fun events such as puppet shows, craft programs, and author visits. The theme for Summer Reading 2010 is “Make a Splash-Read” for kids birth to 11 and “Make Waves at Your Library” for kids ages 12 and up. Even high school students get involved reading to kids and helping with events.
Learn more about the Summer Reading Program or contact your local library to discover what they are offering this summer.
~ Melissa M.
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