Heights Libraries summer reading programs for everyone

What kid (or adult for that matter) doesn’t long for summer fun during the school year? Whether one wants to explore distant lands, meet new friends, discover lost civilizations, travel to outer space, or ward off evil, summer adventures can be found through the Heights Libraries’ summer reading programs.

Heights Libraries summer programs encourage kids, teens and adults to read this summer. The programs offer a unique approach to summer reading and reward participants for their accomplishments.

The children’s summer reading program, “Dream Big,” has two categories: Read with Me and Independent Readers. The Read with Me program is designed for children who still need adult help to get through their favorite books. Henry Drak, youth services librarian, said, “Reading is also for kids who aren’t yet reading on their own. There are many skills that form the basis of literacy, and this program focuses on fun ways to practice them.

For children who can read on their own, the Independent Reader program helps them to develop their budding skills. Kids can earn stickers, prizes and free books.

This summer's the teen reading program, “Own the Night,” is literacy andactivity based. In addition to reading, teens must complete tasks to receive prizes. “Teen summer reading has an activity sheet, kind of like the game Connect Four,” Youth Services Librarian Jessica Robbins said. “When kids get four across or four down they get a prize.” Activities include finding 10 tips for staying safe at night, attending a library program, and reading three books to a younger child.

Heights Libraries recognizes that adults enjoy summer reading as much as kids. The adult reading program, “Between the Covers,” features weekly drawings for prizes and a grand prize drawing on Aug. 20. Adults fill out an entry form for each book they read and drop it in an entry box at any branch.

“You can take your books on vacation with you and maybe get some uninterrupted time on the beach,” Adult Services Librarian Rebecca Katzenmeyer said. “Everything from mindless stuff, to stuff you’ve been meaning to read. Plus you can read with your kids—when you read, they read, and you encourage them. And yes, books on tape count.”

Heights Libraries does not require participants to read specific books for the summer reading program, so the reading possibilities are endless, and librarians are always prepared with suggestions.

The teen summer reading program begin June 9, and the children and adult programs will begin June 11. Visit any branch of the Heights Libraries to join the program. For more information, visit www.heightslibrary.org or call 216- 932-3600.