Chance to be a record breaker with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge

Public libraries statewide have announced the 2015 Summer Reading Program, helping kids discover new books with this year’s reading theme “Every Hero Has A Story”.

The library reminds youth participants from birth through 11 years of age to pick up earned tickets for their minutes read when visiting the library. Sign up is free.

The Mary Cheney Library, located at 584 Main St., held its Preschool Summer Reading Kick-Off program on June 22.

Parents or older siblings can be Reading Partners. More than a sing-along, Hoffman’s presentations are educational and appropriate for children of all ages. There are great benefits to be gained from reading aloud: Instilling a love of reading in your child, sharing more hard books that your child may not be able to read alone, encouraging reluctant readers, and increasing family involvement through the sharing of good books, etc.

Summer is in full swing at the Arcanum Public Library. It runs from June 12 – August 15. “Our goal with these programs is to inspire the kids to check out a book on tree frogs or other animals and to inspire curiosity”. After finishing 500 books, they will receive a book by local author and illustrator Jamie Harper, who designed the Miss Mingo logo.

The Livonia library system is known for its collection of books and computers. “For those that have children, it’s important to encourage kids to keep reading”, she said. “They want to have fun, so we hope to pique their interest and help them have fun as they learn”.

Art for all ages will also be offered at the library by artist Sidonie Wilson this coming Wednesday, as well as on July 5, and July 22 at 2 p.m.

Families will receive a tote bag that says 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.

“Escape from the Ordinary” is the theme for the library’s adult reading club, which offers book bingo cards featuring squares with reading suggestions. The kids are invited to help create floats and participate in the Aurorafest (July 11) and the Wheat Harvest Fest (Aug. 1) parades.

“TD is committed to supporting reading and literacy programs that foster a joy of reading”, said Alan Convery, Director, Community Relations, TD Bank Group.

Each sticker earns a child one entry into a raffle to win one of four gift baskets.

The program has three categories loosely based on age, although children can fluctuate between each category based on reading level; early readers, juvenile, and young adults.

In fact, when comparing test scores from the spring and fall of 2014 at Ellsworth, students who participated in the reading program showed a substantial decrease in learning loss. The deadline to register for the program is by 5 p.m. Monday.