By Chris Bavender
School is out and that means time away from the classroom and fun in the sun. But the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library hopes kids of all ages will continue to enjoy time with a good book through its Summer Reading Programs which begins June 6.
“The programs are a read-for-rewards system based on the number of pages or books read or by time spent reading depending on the age group,” said Kelly Fann, Executive Director of the library.
The library has had a version of a summer reading program since its inception. Over time, Fann said, it has evolved with the addition of more activities and opportunities for involvement by all ages.
“The program runs for eight weeks. It will end on July 30 and culminates with an end-of-summer carnival to celebrate the Library’s 54th birthday party on August 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for families with children ages birth to grade 5,” Fann said. “The celebration will have carnival games, music, refreshments, face painting, bounce houses and more.”
The Summer Reading Programs are divided into three categories:
•The Youth program has a goal to achieve 50 plus by July 30. Kids can choose three ways to reach the 50 goal: reading 50 books, reading for 50 days or reading for 50 hours. For every five books, hours or days, kids can choose a book or other prize. The grand prize drawing is a FitBit and new shoes donated by Kern Brothers Shoes. The youth kickoff party is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 6 and will include a Scholastic Book Fair, animals, authors and more. For those who can’t attend there will also be an ice cream social from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 9.
•The Teen program is based on the number of pages read. As teens read to a certain page level, they earn prizes and drawing tickets which are dropped in a bucket for a weekly prize drawing and then resubmitted for the grand prize. There are teen programs where attendees receive one drawing ticket. The first page level is 200 pages and the levels extend to 10,000 pages. It will include a Writing Funshop with Author Mike Mullin on June 29.
•The Adult program is based on the number of books read. As adults read their first book, they receive a book. For each book read, adults earn one drawing ticket, which can be submitted for a chance at weekly prizes. The top 20 readers win a $10 gift certificate to Books-a-Million. Each book read is also a chance to win one of two grand prizes. It will feature a jazz trio June 16 and a cookout June 21.
Registration for the Summer Reading Programs is easy, Fann said.
“Residents can come by the library to pick up a reading log from any staff desk or by completing a reading log online at the library’s website,” she said. “For planned events this summer, customers can call the library to sign up for an event or register online.”
More information on the program is available at www.zionsvillelibrary.org/summer-reading-preview.html
