Tri-Village libraries are offering up their annual challenge to get kids reading. Here’s a look at this year’s programming, which is themed “Dig into Reading.”
Grandview Heights Public Library
The annual Grandview Heights Library Summer Reading program offers opportunities for children of all ages.
“They always try to make it a theme that would be appealing to both boys and girls; we have an artist on staff who actually designs the graphics for us,” says Eileen McNeil, Teen and Youth Services manager.
The summer reading program at Grandview Heights Library runs May 31 through Aug. 2.
“The kids keep track of the time they spent reading over the summer, and for every four hours they read they bring in their log and they receive a prize,” McNeil says. Prizes for intermediary goals range from bookmarks and books to toys and trinkets.
“We like to make little stops in between so they can get a prize and be rewarded,” McNeil says.
Prize donors this year include local businesses such as Dairy Queen, DK Diner, Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory and Galaxy Games and Golf.
The reading programs kicks off with a concert at a time to be announced May 31 and will be affiliated with several other events throughout the summer, including a concert and a visit from Animal Magic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and life science education,
About 800 students participate in the program each year. To sign up, visit the Youth Services Department.
In addition to the children’s program, the library also offers teen and adult programs. Teens get a bookmark to help keep track of what and how long they’ve read. Those who complete the program are entered into a drawing for a grand prize basket. Those who read an additional 10 hours get an extra entry in the drawing.
Upper Arlington Public Library
Upper Arlington Library summer reading programs are similar to those of the Grandview Heights Public Library. The program runs June 4 through Aug. 3 at all three branches, says Communications Specialist Christine Minx.
Four different age groups are permitted to participate: babies through preschoolers, grades K-5, 6-12, and adults 18 and up.
The UA Library also offers incentives.* Five hours of reading earns a “mystery creepy crawly prize,” 10 hours earns a “brag tag,” and 15 hours earns a “Dig into Reading” T-shirt for those in grades K-5.
“We also have a grand prize drawing, so the K-5 students who complete the program will be put into a drawing for a party at Sky Zone,” Minx says.
Minx says about 3,000 participants are expected, many of whom will sign up at the Kickoff Bash from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 4. Online registration is available at www.ualibrary.org.
Holly Butcher is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@cityscenemediagroup.com
