We will be kicking off an action-packed summer of great programs and reading this month!
Our annual Summer Reading Program is designed to encourage children to read while they are out of school for the summer. In addition to giving away lots
of prizes for reading, our 30 libraries in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan and Ferry counties will offer a full
lineup of fun and free activities that include puppet shows, theatrical performances, science and technology workshops, author visits and Pacific Science
Center programs, along with weekly crafts and story times.
“The public library works hard to host special programs just for kids, and the local librarians do an amazing job of offering incentives that encourage kids to join the summer reading program — all in the service of making every child in the community become a better reader,” said Angela Morris, NCRL’s director of public services.
The goal of the summer program is to keep kids reading through the summer months, when they tend of lose some of the progress they make during the school year. Prizes for reading range from toys for small achievements to book sets, electronics and entertainment passes for logging the most hours.
Children can sign up for the reading program at their local branch libraries starting around the second week of June.
Here’s a rundown of some of the programs that will be offered in NCRL’s libraries this summer:
- Pacific Science Center: The Seattle-based science program will bring its popular Volts & Jolts program to nine libraries this summer. Children
are invited to explore the properties of electricity with the hair-raising Van deGraaff generator, Tesla coil and other shocking experiments. - Book-It Theatre of Seattle: The literary theater group will present “El Deafo”, the 2015 Newbery Honor-winning book about the challenges author Cece
Bell, who is deaf, faced when starting school and trying make new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to her chest. - NCRL Puppeteers: This year, Eastmont High School teacher Mark Wavra and Wenatchee High School teacher Brian Higgins return to the puppet program, along
with a cast of new puppeteers, to bring two distinct shows in the first and second parts of the summer to all 30 libraries.
- Chelan and Grant County PUDs: Chelan County PUD’s outreach specialist Bob Bauer will once again present a program on magnets and electricity at libraries
in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan and Ferry counties. The Grant County PUD will do a program at Grant County libraries about how power is delivered
to homes. - STEM: NCRL’s new STEM librarian Sarah Knox will present hands-on science and engineering programs at all libraries. In addition, many libraries will
offer technology workshops with Sphero robotic balls, KEVA building planks, 3-D printers and other technology. - Authors: Childrens book authors Erik Brooks and Elisa Kleven will offer several programs in libraries.
- Ian Dobson: In this music program, children will create and play their own instruments made from recycled materials.
View the complete list of Summer Reading Events in our Online Calendar!
Helpful Hint: Find events at the libraries you visit by using the location sort option at the top of the page. Learn more about using our online calendar on our Calendar Tips page.
We also have online Summer Reading Program options for Kids, Teens, and Adults – learn more here!
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