All-Ages Summer Reading Program Starts Soon!

Once again, Sedona Public Library is participating in the national summer reading  program, and this year, the program will be offered for all ages! The 2016 program themes are “On Your Mark, Get Set …. Read!” for kids, “Get in the Game, Read” for teens, and “Exercise Your Mind, Read!” for adults.
  
These themes share an emphasis on health, fitness, and sports for everyone.  And the starting signal for Sedona’s summer reading program will sound in less than a month, so it’s not too early to be planning your summer break activities and learning opportunities. 

The reading program for children, teens, and adults begins May 31 and ends July 23.  You can sign up either in person or online as early as May 23.  Special programs and ongoing incentives for each age group will reinforce a mind-body connection and entice everyone to read more.

According to the American Library Association, summer reading programs began in the 1890s as a way to encourage schoolchildren to read during their summer vacation. Over time, research has proven the value of these programs by demonstrating that reading during the school break helps young people keep their skills up and prevents the “summer slide” in reading abilities that occurs when kids do not engage in educational activities during the summer.  “If students retain their reading level over summer break,” explains Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan, “teachers may spend less time reviewing skills and more time teaching.” 

Last year a grandparent wrote this response to our summer reading survey:  “My granddaughter was more motivated to read books because of the summer reading program.  She loved books as a toddler but leaned toward the computer and movies as she got older.  She is so proud now that she knows the letters and reads words.” 

As believers in the positive power of reading, we will do our best to encourage not only elementary school–aged children but people of all ages, from newborn to adult, to get in the reading game this summer.  Participants will earn points for every minute that is spent reading, listening to a book, or engaging in a literacy-building activity. As readers accumulate points and record them in their log, they will earn incentives and increase their chance of winning something special in a final drawing for each age group. 

If the summer reading program is new to you, then be sure to drop in the Children’s Room and chat with one of the library staff.  We will gladly answer your questions about the reading program for kids and teens and give you a calendar of events for June and July.  Adult participants can get more information at the Reference Desk.

Sedona Public Library is an inviting learning space for our community, and thanks to the Friends of the Library, we are able to bring you a summer reading program where families can access free educational and cultural enrichment activities and programs and leave the Library with a pile of good books, too.

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partially supported by the City of Sedona and Yavapai and Coconino Counties. We also require donations and grants to fund our operations. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

Sedona Public Library
Column for April 29, 2016
Written by Karen Mack, Youth Services Librarian