Libraries gear up for summer reading

Public libraries across the country are gearing up to offer summer reading programs for students of all ages. Libraries will offer events, crafts, and other fun activities to promote the enjoyment of reading a good book.

School is letting out for summer, so parents and children may want to stop by one of the East Bonner County Library District branches, Bookmobile or visit www.ebonnerlibrary.org for information about how to keep their children engaged in reading and learning.

The 2016 summer reading program theme centers on sports and physical activity. Children are motivated with the tag line, “On Your Mark, Get Set, READ while teens are encouraged to “Get In The Game, READ!” Even adults are encouraged to join the summer reading movement with “Exercise your mind. READ.” The program runs from June 10 (last day of public school) through August, and features lots of interactive events and activities including reading logs for prizes for kids of various ages.

In keeping with the “movement” to keep kids active and reading this summer, we have organized a ton of crazy fun summer reading events at the Sandpoint and Clark Fork branch libraries as well as other locations. Individuals and families team up on Tuesday to kick of the festivities with the Selfie Scavenger Hunt. Teens will love Life Size Clue (where our illustrious director is “murdered” for the sake of summer reading), the National Teen Lock-In and Nerf Battle, Game Night and the teens-only End-of-Summer Reading Party.

Kids Summer Reading events are off the charts this year. Families are already clearing their calendars to attend Family Football Fun with the Spokane Empire Football Team at Memorial Field later this month. Visit www.ebonnerlibrary.org for the full schedule that includes juggling, astronomy, sword play, science and more.

An amazing array of organizations have taken an interest in keeping kids reading and moving by partnering with us for summer reading this year. Among those who are helping to make summer reading exciting are Guitarist Alexis Cook, Feisty Pet Training, Festival at Sandpoint, Friends of the Library, Huckleberry Lanes, Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation, Kaniksu Land Trust, Author Mary Haley, Pend Oreille Shores Resort, Quest Aircraft, Sandpoint Parks & Recreation, Sandpoint West Athletic Club, Spokane Astronomical Society, Spokane Empire (formerly Spokane Shock) and Weezil.

Studies show that students who do not read during the summer can experience the “summer slide,” losing ground in learning and returning to school less ready for the next year than when they began their summer break.

So take a book along to the park, an audio book along on a long car trip, or even break out the comic books. In fact, students of all ages can have fun reading and earning prizes from their local public library.

The following classes, workshops and events will take place at the Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar, unless otherwise indicated.

• Friday, June 10, through Saturday, June 18 — Clark Fork Scholastic Book Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Buy one, get one free sale at the East Bonner Co. Library District’s Clark Fork branch; sponsored by the Clark Fork Friends of the Library.

• Friday, June 10 — Teen Writers Club, 3 p.m.; get-together with other young writers for writing activities and collaboration.

• Tuesday, June 14 — Mother Goose – 10:15 a.m. A story/singing program for children ages 0 to 3 and their caregivers.

• Tuesday, June 14 — Preschool storytime, 11 a.m.; for children ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers.

• Tuesday, June 14 — Make It at The Library, canceled.

• Tuesday, June 14 — Summer reading event: selfie scavenger hunt, 2 p.m.; race from The Library to Travers Park, and everywhere in between to solve clues, taking selfies to prove it. Kids, teens and families will be made into teams of 2-6 people. Ends with a free barbecue at Travers Park. Preregistration is required; call 263-6930.

• Wednesday, June 15 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. East Bonner County Library Clark Fork branch. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8.

• Wednesday, June 15 — Crafternoon; program on “outrageous origami,” 1:30 p.m.; free family fun with paper art. Make a design and take it home to keep!

• Wednesday, June 15 — Make It at the Library. East Bonner County Library Clark Fork Branch, 601 Main St. Kids make a variety of age appropriate crafts from 2-3:30 p.m.

• StoryWalk — Three StoryWalk locations and stories; visit Dover City Park, University of Idaho Recreation Center and McNearney Park for reading, activities, fitness and family fun. A partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, the cities of Sandpoint, Dover, and Ponderay and UI.