Reading programs heating up

Last summer thousands of children, teens and adults took part in summer reading programs through the Salt Lake city and county library systems. The county is gearing up for this year's program, which will give local residents the opportunity to get involved in the library.

Summer reading at the county library system begins June 5 with a kick-off party at Wheeler Farm, 6351 S. 900 East, from 6-8 p.m. The library encourages families to bring a blanket and a picnic dinner. There will be entertainment, mask making and balloons. Sign-ups for the summer reading program begin then and end July 15.

Anyone from babies to seniors of any reading level can set a goal, and anyone who finishes the program by Aug. 12 can pick out a new book to keep, said Tauni Everett, public relations director for the library system.

The programs consist of reading sessions determined by the individual. A child must read 30 sessions of as many minutes he or she feels capable of. The program is set up this way instead of by number of books to cater to all reading levels, Everett said. Participants can also check out CDs or DVDs to accomplish their goals.

Once participants have signed up for the program they can check into the library four times to receive a prize. Participants will receive the last prize when they reach their goal and get to pick out a new book, Everett said.

The county library offers ongoing programs at all 18 branches. Some of the programs this summer will feature the Mountain Mushers, a dog sled exhibit, and animals from Hogle Zoo. "You name it, we have it at the library this summer," Everett said.

The city's summer reading program kicks off at the battle of the bands June 9 at the Main Library, 210 E. 400 South, where teen bands will compete for a $500 prize. The City Library Theme is "In Your Own Backyard: Discover Salt Lake City."

Kids can watch a cocoon change into a butterfly or make backyard animals of origami, said Paul Musser, associate librarian at the City Library. Teens can make their own zine, an independently published small magazine, said Brooke Young, teen selector at the City Library.

Summer reading programs are important because they inform the public about things they didn't know about and help children retain what they learned in school, Musser said. Summer reading programs help teen librarians like Young select books and provide feedback about what the patrons would like. And the programs provide a connection to the library and community, Young said.

Everett said the library programs help kids do better in school and bring people into the library. "(The library) is more than just a place to have books. It's really a community center," Everett said.

More information about summer reading programs can be obtained at www.slco.lib.ut.us or http://www.slcpl.lib.ut.us/index.jsp

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