Summer begins NOW

If you have been wondering when summer really begins, the answer is TODAY. Our annual Summer Reading Club starts today. Why is that such a big deal? Let me tell you .

Over the summer, schoolchildren experience something called the "Summer Slide". Click on that link and watch that 2 minute video if you want a visual of what happens. Suffice it to say, keeping your child reading and learning throughout the summer is a Very Good Idea. And it can be FUN! That's what the Summer Reading Club at the library is all about. We don't ask our readers to read anything they don't want to read.  Besides novels and picture books, we encourage audiobooks, magazines, comics, and even the back of cereal boxes. Just read, that's our motto. Kids who finish the program even earn a free Fast Pass to Upper Clements Park.

And guess what? the Summer Reading club is FREE. Yes, that's right, FREE. Just head to your local library to sign up. It is that easy. And if you are not yet convinced, read this blog post from a librarian in the states. She gets it and wants you to sign up for Summer Reading.

Because we know that people of all ages like to read and win prizes, we have a Summer Reading Club for TEENS. Readers ages 12-16 can read and enter to win great prizes and earn a Fast Pass to Upper Clements Park. And this year, we've added a Summer Reading Club for adults! Readers ages 17 - 170 are invited to complete 2 cards for chance at some nifty prizes. Pick up one card at your local library, and one at one of our Community Locations.

You can show us your progress this summer with the hashtag #AVRLSRC. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Show your library love on social media! And don't forget to print our SRC Mascot, RAVEL, and show us where you take our little friend.

Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you about our Summer Programs! You can enjoy Storytime with a Farmer, Little Ray's Reptiles, Anne Glover's String stories, Mad Science, tech programs, Preschool Disco, Musical Zoo, and Camp Overdue (summer camp for teens and adults). We will also give away books at each branch. And you could win a bike. And all of this is FREE! 

So run, don't walk, to your nearest library and get signed up for Summer Reading Club. See you around this summer.

--Angela J. Reynolds, Community Engagement Coordinator

Summer Reading is around the corner

  Summer. It is nearly here and at the library, that means one thing. The annual Summer Reading Club! This year we have a few extras that we think you will be excited about. As usual, we have the Summer Reading Club for kids and teens. Kids up to age 12 can sign up, read and do activities, and win cool prizes like pencils and a Fast Pass to Upper Clements Park! We are even giving away a bike this year, courtesy of Adopt-A-Library. Our teen readers, ages 12-16, can read and enter to win prizes. For every five hours, teens get a ballot to enter for prize draws. And they too can win a Fast Pass.

  This year, we've added a Summer Reading Club for adults! Readers, ages 17 -170 are invited to read and enter to win prizes. Each adult club member can enter twice-- we have one card at our libraries, and one that will be available out in the community.  Read, enjoy your summer, and you could win some really fun prizes. Because why should little kids have all the fun?

  We've got great programs lined up for you too. We are happy to host Anne Glover, a storyteller from BC who will be doing string stories in several of our branches. We are bringing back Little Ray's Reptiles and Mad Science for your educational entertainment. To celebrate our local farms, we are hosting Storytime with a Farmer in all our branches. We've partnered once again with Oaklawn Farm Zoo to bring you two free Zoo Days-- July 5 and August 9, where our friends ages 18 and under who have library cards can get in free to the zoo! We've planned some fun things like  PreSchool Disco, Musical Zoo, storytimes, tech programs, and more. There will even be  Pink Gorilla wandering around, looking for library lovers to give prizes to.

  Teens & adults, don't feel left out! We've put together a fund program just for you! Camp Overdue is a Summer Day Camp just like when you were a little kid, only made for more grown-up people. Play, make crafts, enjoy S'Mores, and write a letter home. But no little kids allowed.

  It all begins June 27. Visit your local library and find out what summer has in store for you!