Library reading programs are a great way for kids of all ages (even pre-readers) to keep their skill sharp and earn fun prizes, too! Registering is as simple as heading to your library and signing up! Here’s a preview of area programs with links to more information. I’ll have a separate post on retail store reading promotions.
This year, all the area libraries are doing a, “Dig Into Reading,” theme.
Puyallup Public Library Registration began June 1st-Dig Into Reading Theme; Details TBA. In the past, all participants g0t coupons and a free book. Kids also earned tickets for hours spent reading which could be entered to win various prizes. Free programs all summer long, including special guests, crafts, and more. Also a program for teens. Runs June 17th-August 17th.
Pierce County Library Begins June 22nd Dig Into Reading Theme, with separate programs for toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens; Kids and teens can, “Read down,” up to 5.00 of fines after 10 hours of reading. Just 5 hrs. of reading earns a prize-including zoo or Trek tickets. Readers who record 15 hours or more are entered to win big prizes. Programs on fossils, gardening, and more!
Tacoma Public Library Sign up began June 1st. Program runs June 15-August 10th. Sign up at the library or online. Dig Into Reading Theme. Prizes for everyone who completes the program, including zoo tickets. Plus, weekly drawings for other prizes and a Grand Prize drawing for an ipad. Programs for teens and grown-ups, too! Variety of in library programs planned, including magic and puppet shows.
King County Library System Kids record minutes on a log they download or online. There are very small prizes for reading 500 minutes and then 1,000 (We’re talking a pack of seeds), but elementary age kids who complete the program are entered to win a Sony reader. Preschool finishers are entered to win family packs of passes to area attractions. As I said last year, if your kids are prize motivated, I’d pick a program at a different system.
Timberland Regional Participants pick up kits with suggested reading lists, reading logs, prize entry forms, and events calendars. Variety of prizes and in-store events planned. Link opens a pdf. More detail TBA online by next week.
Kitsap Participants earn free books and a ticket to the Kitsap County Fair. Great, kids’ entertainment all summer; be sure to download and print out the free activity calendar. Download a tracker or record minutes online.
Don’t forget, thanks to reciprocity agreements, if you have a card for one library, you can pretty much get one for every other library. So, feel free to double dip in your summer reading fun if you can keep track of all that (I know we can’t)! There are also book stores, such as Half-Price that offer summer reading programs. I’ll have another post about those-and lots more free fun, all summer long!
For the King County Library System, I agree those LED glasses seem a little silly! But the finisher prize drawing for a netbook (computer) is exciting. Finishers can also enter to win family memberships to KidsQuest Museum or a Family Fun Pack to the Woodland Park Zoo. KCLS also offers an activity page to get preschoolers involved. For my kid, though, it’s all about the fun of coloring in the reading log, prizes are just kind of a cool side bonus. 🙂