The Pierce County Library System is hosting a free Summer Reading program June 20 through Sept. 5.
Libraries in the county offer activities for participants up to 18 years of age.
Different activities are planned for three different age groups.
Libraries encourage parents and caregivers to read with their children, especially kids 3 and younger. Parents and caregivers may download a reading log and color in a shape for every day they read with their child. When all shapes are colored the child can earn a reading prize at their library.
The program for readers ages 3-12 is called “Be Creative at Your Pierce County Library” and features activities such as learning how to create cartoons, rocking out with musical group Recess Monkey and exploring magic and inventions with magician Jeff Evans. When kids read for a total of 10 hours, they earn a prize, which includes a free pass to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium or Northwest Trek, while supplies last.
The program for teenagers, “Express Yourself @ Your Library” includes activities such as playing videogames, rocking with Guitar Hero and watching Japanese anime DVDs.
For every 10 hours a teenager reads, they may enter a drawing to win a Flip Video camcorder. Teenage participants may also earn programs, technology or other rewards for their library.
Friends of the Library will sponsor a special project for each library based on the number of hours teens read.
Year-round reading, through the Library’s Summer Reading program, helps prepare children for school in the fall. A Johns Hopkins University study showed that students may lose up to two months of reading skills in the summer, and the loss is higher for children who are already struggling.
Registration may be required for some programs.
For more information contact Mary Getchell, communications director at 253-536-6500, ext. 136.
More information about the program is available in the libraries and bookmobiles as well as online at www.piercecountylibrary.org.
The Pierce County Library System has branches in Bonney Lake, 253-863-5867; Buckley, 360-829-0300; and Sumner, 253-863-0441.
