Library Kicks Off Reading Program With Summer Fun

The resembled a small country fair Sunday, as musicians, service groups and marketeers helped the library and hundreds of kids kick off the Summer Reading program.

The annual reading program helps keep kids intellectually stimulated while out of school for the summer. Kids who participate in the library program can earn prizes for reaching their goals. The more they read, the more chances they’ll have to win prizes.

Summer reading isn’t just for kids, either. Adults are being encouraged to read six books, fill out a form and return it to the library for a chance to win prizes.

Heidi Wuerthele brought her young children, Joeb and Karalan, to sign up for the program.

“We’re hoping that Joeb is going to read on his own this summer, and not just listen to others read, right Joeb?” said Wuerthele, although Joeb didn’t sound altogether persuaded.

For many families, the summer reading program is just part of the year-round relationship they enjoy with the library.

“We’ve been active in the library since she was two and she came to storytime,” said Hilary Gray, speaking about her daughter, Brianna. “We think it’s a fun thing to do. Brianna loves to read, so why not get prizes for it?”

Jens Kretzschmar visited the library with his daughter, Jolie.

“She loves to read, so we’re happy to have a library like this,” he said.

While children signed up for summer reading, they were greeted with hugs a giant mouse named Lilly, the star character from books such as Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.

The library used the occasion to collect food for Saline Area Social Services. As an extra incentive, the library knocked down overdue fines in exchange for donations to the food bank.

In recognition of Father’s Day, each dad who signed up for summer reading was entered into a raffle for a $10 gift certificate from the Corner Book Shop.

Outside the library, the Saline New Horizon’s Dixie Land Band played traditional favorites, the Lions Club gave away free ice cream, and several vendors from the Farmers’ Market sold goods from their tents.

For more on the summer reading program or other Saline District Library activities, call 734-429-5450 or visit www.salinelibrary.org.