Summer Reading 2012

We are into the heart of our annual Summer Reading Program.  This year, all THREE of them are going strong!  Yes, we do have 3 programs running simultaneously.

HPL website

For children, we have the "Dream Big, READ!" program.  This involves preschool through elementary age children in a variety of activities - story times, craft days, family time programs, and of course, reading.  Here's how it works:

• Parents bring their children into the library to register.  The children receive a reading log.
• Children who are registered for the program read 10 books (or have 10 books read to them) OR read for 10 hours between May 25th and August 4th.
• Those children completing the requirements can bring their reading log in to us and receive a prize!
• Regardless of reading program participation, parents can bring their children to one, some, or all of the free programs!

So far this year we have 773 children signed up!  That means if all of them were to complete the program they would read 7,773 book this summer - talk about warding off the "summer slide"!

image credit: Clker

For young adults (ages 12-17), we have a separate reading program.  The program theme this year, chosen by our Young Adult Advisory Board, is "I See Dead People...READING".  Capitalizing on the recent flood of vampire / zombie / other undead-themed books current to YA fiction, it reflects what are by far the most popular YA fiction subjects.  The young adult program works a little differently.  Here's what to do:

• Young Adults can come in and sign up.
• The YA reads.
• For each book completed, the YA is eligible to receive a prize.
• At the end of the summer, we'll have a party to celebrate their achievements!

So far this year, we have 121 young adults signed up which is a big increase for us compared to this time last year.

HPL website

Finally, for adults we have the 'Between the Covers" reading program.  Anyone 18 and up can register for this activity.  As part of the adult reading program, we have a weekly give-away drawing and weekly contests on Facebook.  This program works a little more like the YA program.  Here's what to do:

• Register at either circulation desk (Children's entrance or Main Street entrance)
• For each book read, fill out a rating and review slip (a brief review is wonderful)!
• Turn in the slip for a chance to win a free book in our weekly drawings.
• See your reviews and what other HPL patrons are reading HERE on our website (there are already over 90 rated and/or reviewed books posted!)

The program for adults this year has 82 participants as of June 15th - I am fairly sure our strongest early June total yet.

While some folks in high places might be worried that children aren't reading enough in the summer, I am not worried.  Last year we estimated that over 4,500 books were read during our summer programs.  I think it would be fantastic to break the 5,000-books-read mark.  Want to help us break that barrier, but don't know what to read?  Go HERE and sign up for our Wowbrary! weekly email newsletter and see all the new items we added to the collection during the previous week.  I'm pretty sure you'll find something that strikes your fancy!