Summer reading is coming in hot with challenges at local libraries to keep people’s heads in the books.
“If you think reading isn’t for you, you just haven’t found the right book yet,” said Martsje Vanderschaaf-Riehlmenm, director of Phillips Free Library in Homer.
Reading actually changes the wiring of your brain, specifically through perspective.
When we read, we often think about the characters like they’re real people who have different perspectives which allows for growth of emotional intelligence and empathy, reports the 95 Percent Group.
The 95 Percent Group focuses on the science of reading in classrooms in America. It also reported that reading can reduce stress, improve sleep, build memory and writing skills, better individual problem solving abilities and improve communication skills.
Phillips Free Library is having a summer reading challenge where participants read, report and repeat the number of pages they read each week, promoting fun at the library.The weekly drawings take place on Fridays in July for participants entering their reading progress.
“We do this to keep kids reading and help them from falling behind when the school year starts again,” said Vanderschaaf-Riehlman. “It focuses on fun and adding things to reading like games, science and cooking.”
Sarah Bouwens, assistant to the director at Phillips Free Library said adding fun to the end of the program is what helps encourage people to read.
Bouwens said at the end of program celebration, the library staff does a fun silly challenge to represent the participants’ pages read and a successful summer of reading.
The obstacle course competition is planned between Village of Homer Police Department and Phillips Free Library when the community reaches a total of 280,000 pages read.
The summer reading challenge will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Aug. 2, when the obstacle course competition will take place. “The obstacle course is a way to show community, team work, and team spirit,” said Bouwens.
“The summer reading programs help the library, more people come, more people read our books, we see better numbers that helps our yearly basis that the state wants to see,” said Vanderschaaf-Riehlmenm. “It is great to see the enthusiasm to read and the community spirit as everyone tries to achieve the same goal.”
The summer reading program welcomes everyone, not just children, and it is a good opportunity for adults to do silly things once a year, said Vanderschaaf-Riehlmenm.
Registration is always open on the Phillips Free Library Website as well as other event information: www.phillipsfreelibrary.org/.
Other libraries in the county are promoting summer reading programs too:
Cortland Free Library has three separate summer reading adventures accommodating all ages and encouraging reading throughout the summer. Visit: cortlandfreelibrary.org/summer-reading-program/.
Groton Public Library will also be having a summer reading challenge among many other programs such as a six-week Ukulele camp. Every Wednesday at 12:30 pm for July and August there will be storytime and crafts and throughout the summer more pop-up entertainment, authors and activities. For more information and registration for events visit grotonpubliclibrary.net/4636-2/.
