Summer reading fun

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore Municipal Library is getting ready once again for their summer reading program. Children aged two to 11, and teens aged 12 to 17 will have a chance to take part in some of the fun activities being planned. 

“Our goal is just to keep kids reading throughout the summer, having lots of fun, and staying active and safe,” said Loralee Lenox, who is running the children’s program.

“Our theme this year is ‘Splash’ so everything we’re going to be doing, will revolve around water, and summer and being outside.”

The program is set to start July 6 and runs once a week until August 20. Lenox said the program provides the opportunity to keep kids reading and learning, while having fun. 

There are two teen programs available this year, the teen summer library experience is online and the other teen program is held in the library. The online program will include teens from all across the Marigold Library system.

For the online program the teen registered will have to complete a set of challenges to qualify for grand prizes, which include a Kobo Ereader, a Flip ultra HD camcorder, a $150 shopping mall gift card or an 8g IPod Nano.   

“Also within the library we have the program running, and we have special events on Thursdays,” said Kaytlynn Fowler, the teen program organizer.

The time isn’t official yet, but it will be a weekly drop in class. The first one will be a meet and greet on July 7 and following that, the nights are open to suggestion. Fowler said there would possibly be a games night, and a sports night. 

“We’re going to also have a movie versus books night. I’m running that along the lines of Harry Potter versus Twilight,” said Fowler. 

She said so many kids will say, ‘oh yeah I’ve seen that movie’ but have never heard of the book. Fowler feels it’s really important to encourage that love of reading and it helps kids get ready for the next school year because it helps keep their reading level up. 

Both programs have a lot to offer and tend to be a fun way to spend the summer. 

“The children’s program tends to be very, very busy. We have the 5 to 7 (age group), book up within a day basically. The teen program, it needs a little bit more encouragement but that has also been fairly successful,” said Fowler. 

All of the programs offered are free. To register for the children’s program, or the in library teen program go to the Strathmore Municipal Library, located at 85 Lakeside Blvd. To register for the teen summer library experience, go to http://teensBOOKingit.weebly.com