With a night time theme, program takes place June 9 through Aug. 25
HENDERSON, Nev. – With “Night” as the theme, Henderson Libraries’ Summer Reading Program for all ages will take place June 9 through Aug. 25.
For children in Clark County, summer reading programs are especially important, as the Clark County School District is no longer offering year-round schooling. While it can be pretty exciting for kids to leave behind homework and waking up early when the school year ends, it’s critical parents make sure their child’s education and development isn’t forgotten altogether over the next three months.
According to “The Learning Season: The Untapped Power of Summer to Advance Student Achievement,” a study conducted by Beth M. Miller, Ph.D. and commissioned by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, children who do not read during the summer often lose a portion of what they learned the previous school year, making it necessary for them to catch up during the first couple of months of the new school year. This compounds over time and adds up to a lag of two or more years in reading achievement during the elementary years.
That being said, summer reading programs aren’t just for kids.
“Summer reading programs are typically associated with kids, but, in fact, they offer a fun way for people of all ages to keep busy during the summer months,” said Tom Fay, executive director for the Henderson Libraries. “We encourage everyone to see what our Summer Reading Program has to offer.”
Themes and details for each age group include:
FOR CHILDREN: DREAM BIG
This year’s children’s Summer Reading Program is split it into two groups: school age (ages 5-11) and preschool (ages 0-4). School age readers can choose a prize from the treasure box after they read five hours, 10 hours and 15 hours; at 20 hours, they receive a ticket to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay and a book. The preschool children’s reading log only requires 15 minutes of listening to a book to color a shape (instead of filling out a reading log). Preschoolers receive prizes at two-and-a-half hours, five hours and seven-and-a-half hours and a book and a Great Harvest Cookie coupon at 10 hours.
FOR TEENS: OWN THE NIGHT
Teens who read for two hours each week will be entered into a weekly prize drawing. After teens read for 20 total hours, they will receive a book.
Henderson Libraries received a $1,000 grant from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) to help fund this year’s teen program. Funding for the grant was provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
FOR ADULTS: BETWEEN THE COVERS
Adults will record the time they spend reading, rather than the number of books they’ve read. Any reading counts – reading traditional books or e-books, listening to audio books, and even reading to children. Each hour read equals one entry into Henderson Libraries’ weekly and grand prize drawings. Attendance at any Henderson Libraries book club or any program will also count as one entry toward the weekly and grand prize drawings. Patrons may enter Henderson Libraries’ district-wide photography contests (see library for details).
Those wanting to take part in the Summer Reading Program can register online at www.mypubliclibrary.com or in person at any of Henderson Libraries six locations. (Only those age 50-plus can register at the Heritage Park Library, as the HeritagePark facility is age-restricted.)
Established in 1943 as a single library in Downtown Henderson, Henderson Libraries operates six locations throughout Henderson. Henderson Libraries cooperates with other public libraries in Southern Nevada, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Clark County School District and all other libraries around the state to provide quality service for Nevada’s residents.
For additional information on Henderson Libraries and its many services and resources, visit www.mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-492-6581.