As students begin their summer vacation, the Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) announces its 102nd annual summer reading program.
This year’s theme, “Discover,” encourages students to learn more about the world around them through reading and exploration and continues through July 31.
Participants can read any book, graphic novel, magazine, e-book or newspaper, as well as books owned or borrowed from the library. They can track their reading time in the Beanstack Tracker app via iPhone and Android, or online at indypl.beanstack.org.
Keshia McEntire, public relations specialist at IndyPL, recalled how much the program has grown since she participated as a child. In previous years, participants were rewarded based on the number of books they read. Now, students are rewarded based on the amount of time spent reading.
Students earn prizes after reading up to 20 hours.
Prizes include toys, earbuds, Indy Park pool passes and a voucher to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game. Participants can also earn a mystery goodie bag if they complete bonus activities such as walking in the park or playing a new sport. Students have until Aug. 7 to redeem prizes.
Fun activities include animal meet and greets during story time and cooking classes and kid’s trivia workshops.
Programs such as this are important in avoiding the “summer slide,” where students lose the knowledge they gained throughout the year while they are on vacation, McEntire said.
“Reading programs like this keep kids engaged in reading and help maintain those academic skills,” she said.
Adults also can participate in an adult summer reading program, where participants earn prizes by completing activities in three categories: Discover Outside, Discover You and Discover Something New. Participants can redeem prizes at their local branch, enter to win drawings and participate in workshops for adults.
Contact staff writer Terrence Lambert at 317-924-5243. Follow him on Twitter @_TerrenceL_.
Registration for the summer reading program is now open. To sign up, visit any Indianapolis Public Library Branch, online at indypl.org/srp, or on the Beanstack app by searching “Indianapolis Public Library.”
