Mifflin County Library’s annual program to throw kickoff event Saturday for all ages
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LEWISTOWN -- While most may think summer is the time to take advantage of outdoor activities, those who are looking for a fun, indoor activity may be in luck too.
The Mifflin County Library is holding its annual Summer Reading Program, with a kickoff event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Starting over 75 years ago, the Summer Reading Program has encouraged readers of all ages across Mifflin and Juniata counties to continue reading for fun.
"The research shows that children who read for pleasure during the time that school is not in session retain or even increase reading comprehension and vocabulary skills," Molly Kinney, executive director of the library, said.
Kinney said the program is self-directed and self-motivated, meaning that children can read whatever they would like to read throughout the duration of the program.
Incentives in the form of prizes will be awarded to readers throughout the summer.
Kinney said children can receive T-shirts and other small prizes for completing books during the program.
In addition to kids, adults signed up for the program have the opportunity to win prizes like gift cards to local restaurants and tickets to baseball games and amusement parks, Lisa Parks, the prize coordinator, said.
To register for the program, children, teenagers and adults can come any time during the kickoff event to receive reading logs, which will keep track of the books they have completed.
"We want to keep (the kids) reading and learning during the summer months," Kinney said.
The kickoff event will have food, a face painting station and a live performance from the local music group Sasparilla.
There are two main components to the program: the reading portion and attending events throughout the summer months.
Kinney said while the reading portion is more independent, the library will host different events to encourage the participants to continue reading the entire summer.
"The programming component augments and supplements the reading component," she said.
The library has coordinated multiple events throughout the summer, including Serpents and Claws, a musical performance from Alex & The Kaleidoscope and The Great Humpty Dumpty Drop.
Kinney said she anticipates children will be the largest age group to sign up for the program. While she doesn't have official numbers for this year's signup count yet, over 1,000 kids registered for the program last year.
"Between the prizes and the program, the children do continue to read," she said. "They like what we do, therefore they become engaged themselves."
Kinney, who has been involved with the Summer Reading Program for 29 years, said her favorite part is introducing interesting stories to kids, teens and adults.
"Have fun, kick back and read a book you might not ordinarily pick up," Kinney said.