Children carrying yellow baskets bounded around the Ellettsville branch of the Monroe County Public Library May 28 during the launch of the library’s summer reading program.
“I just really like to read books and go to the library and look for books,” said 9-year-old Marissa Dimmick.
Library personnel gave the children game boards so that they could track their reading through the summer for prizes.
“They do the recording and coloring of points to show progress on the game,” said Stephanie Holman, children’s librarian at MCPL, Ellettsville branch. “We only see it when it is time for them to claim their prizes.”
Children playing the game can read whatever they like – books, magazines, comic books – even if it does not come from the library. Children are encouraged, however, to read at or above their reading level and be honest in their reporting.
Game boards and prizes will be given until the program ends Aug. 12.
“It is not competitive, everyone is a winner at the library,” Holman said.
Children can win kites, bouncing figurines, coupons and an “altruistic gift.”
The altruistic gift is given to the child in the form of a dog biscuit, which they then put into a donation bin for WildCare, a rescue shelter for wounded wild animals. At the end of the program, MCPL will present WildCare with a $150 donation.
“Many, many parents have said over the years that it kept their child reading through the summer and allowed them to have success in reading in the new school year,” Holman said.
Reading is not the only way children can earn points in the game.
Sections of the game board, such as “Library Programs” and “Weekly Programs,” encourage children to go to the library for programming and literacy challenges. “Computer Questions” encourages children to learn from the library’s website. This year, the focus will be on Monroe County parks.
“I like the programs,” said 8-year-old Maranda Dimmick.
The program does require some parental involvement.
“Many of the older grades know how to play the game,” Holman said. “But younger grades need parents to help guide them a bit more by reading the directions inside.”
Since the game is designed for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, some prizes may not be appropriate for younger children.
“The most important thing parents can do is bring them in for the game board some time this summer and bring them back to the library for more books and programs on a regular basis,” Holman said. “They should take away the pressure of reading regularly, well and fluently in the summer and allow the child more freedoms and joy in reading, rather than making it a chore.”
Originally published in Ellettsville Journal, 2013. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.