Local libraries will help readers turn this summer into a real page-turner.
Branches of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District and the independent Camas Public Library are launching their free summer reading programs this month. Participants in all age groups will have opportunities to receive prizes.
“We want to encourage youth to read and participate in community activities during summer break,” said Ellen Miles, the Camas youth services librarian.
Children who read during the summer “are likely to start school more prepared than their classmates,” Miles said.
The theme in both the Camas and Fort Vancouver systems is “Build a Better World.”
The Fort Vancouver and Camas summer reading programs are supported by community donors, as well as nonprofit foundations and library “Friends” groups.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library: Summer reading starts on Thursday, when registration will be available online through www.fvrl.org/summer-reading. Participants also can sign up in their community libraries. The program runs through Aug. 15 in four age groups: young kids (birth to 5), older kids (6 to 11), teens (12 to 18) and adults (19 and older).
This will be the third year Fort Vancouver has included adults in its summer reading program.
Last year, 2,313 adults participated in the program, after 1,766 took part in the inaugural adult program in 2015. About 10,330 youth in all age groups took part each of the last two years, said Amy Scott, program services coordinator.
Rather than logging time spent reading, as in previous years, this year’s program encourages participants to make reading a daily activity. Readers of all ages will make a log entry each day they read or attend a library program and earn a prize for 15, 30 and 45 days logged.
Camas Public Library: The Camas program will run from June 24 through Aug. 26. Participants can preregister on the library’s website, www.camaslibrary.org; they will be able to do walk-in registration at the library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., starting on June 24.
The program also will promote activities that use printed information, including working with an adult to follow a cookbook recipe and finding a constellation in the night sky, Miles said.
Camas readers can participate in three age groups: kids (infants through those entering sixth grade), teens (those entering seventh through 12th grades) and adults (18 years and older.) Last year, 2,297 kids participated in the Camas summer program; 328 teens and 139 adults took part.
Camas is seeking volunteers, 13 and older, to help with summer reading; registration deadline is Friday. Information and applications are at www.camaslibrary.org.
