Are your kids singing, “No more classrooms, no more books?” Not this summer! Summer reading programs offered by libraries and other organizations can help keep kids in the reading groove – and prevent what’s known as “summer slide,” when kids lose some of their academic skills over summer vacation. These are just a few of your options.
Catch the Beat at Your Library
From Duluth to Eden Prairie to Fergus Falls, public libraries across Minnesota will be offering summer reading programs based on the statewide theme, “Catch the Beat At Your Library.” Metro public libraries will kick off their summer reading programs at the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival on June 3 and 4 in Rice Park in St. Paul. Other libraries will host parties featuring magicians, yo-yo masters, and circus performers. Check with your library system for details.
Reading in the Parks
This summer, the Minneapolis Public Library is once again offering its Summer Reading Club. On Tuesdays at Brackett Recreation Center and Wednesdays at Folwell Recreation Center, children ages 6-12 can enjoy story times and special events. To register, call 612-370-4917 (Folwell) or 612-370-4924 (Brackett).
St. Paul Public Library
StPaul.lib.mn.us.
Since 1960, the St. Paul Public Library has offered a wealth of summer reading opportunities for children and teens. Story times, performances, lunches with librarians, online book reviews, and a read-for-rewards program help ignite kids’ passion for reading each summer.
Read With Me Literacy Program
StPaul.lib.mn.us
Read With Me is a literacy program offering free help with reading and writing for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. Children are paired with tutors trained by St. Paul Public Library staff, who work one-on-one with each child. Available at all St. Paul Public Library branches, Read With Me requires children and their tutors to meet for one hour per week. To register for the program, you can pick up a registration form at any St. Paul Public Library or download the form online.
Washington County Library
www.co.washington.mn.us/library
All branch libraries in Washington County launch their 2006 summer reading programs on June 5. Pick up a reading record, and start reading as soon as school is out! New this year, kids will count hours spent reading instead of the number of titles read. The goal: 30,000 hours of reading for Washington County kids this summer!
