MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) has launched its Summer Reading Club 2023 with summer programs starting June 14.
This year’s theme is “Find Your Voice @ the Library.” Libraries across the nation host summer reading clubs and programs to encourage children to read during the summer. Research has shown that when children, read and keep their minds active and engaged in learning during the summer, then they keep up the skills they learned during the school year.
MCFL’s Summer Reading Club encourages children to read for 20 minutes a day. When children visit their local library and sign up for the Summer Reading Club, they get a free book of their choice and a reading log. For every 20 minutes that they read, they color a star. When the stars have all been colored, they can come to the library for a free “finisher prize.”
Teens and adults can all sign up to participate in the Summer Reading Club and pick up a free book and a Summer Reading Bingo card with challenges such as, “Read a Poem.” When they complete a row of challenges, they can visit the library to collect their finisher prize.
Readers can also participate online through Beanstack, a virtual reading platform, and participate in reading challenges and track their reading minutes online to earn badges and prizes.
“Summer Reading Programs are the entertaining highlight of our summer,” according to MCFL. “We are offering a plethora of fun programs to entertain and delight visitors of all ages.”
The program schedule this year includes Music with Juan Sanchez, Puppet Arts Theater, Python Ron along with his animals, Circus of Smiles, Rock Steady Juggling, the Magician Germar and DRUMMM! Visit a local branch to see the full schedule of times for each program.
Summer programs for teens and adults include Progress not Perfection Paint Party, Calligraphy, Tie-Dye and Zine Making. Look at the MCFL Events Calendar online to see when programs are. Some of the programs require registration.
“Libraries have so much to offer in the way of books and DVDs on all topics, as well as other resources,” MCFL stated. “Whatever you have a passion for or an interest in, you can find it at the library and find your voice. We look forward to seeing you this summer!”
