A Universe of Stories: 2019 Summer Reading Program
Underway at Yakima Valley Libraries
Yakima, WA – The annual Summer Reading Program is here, and this year, Yakima Valley Libraries is celebrating with an out of this world theme: “A Universe of Stories.”
In honor of the 50-year anniversary of the first moon landing in July 1969, we’re encouraging kids and teens to blast off and read at their local community libraries all summer long.
The aim of the Summer Reading Program is to keep Yakima Valley kids and teens reading during their summer break from school, ensuring that they maintain or gain reading skills and start the next school year on track and ready to learn.
The program is open to children from preschool through high school, and encourages them to take a reading challenge where they’ll earn rewards for reaching reading goals.
Kids in preschool through the 5th grade are challenged to read at least 20 minutes a day, in order to earn rewards for every 7 days of reading they complete. After 21 days, they earn a free book (while supplies last) and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a goodie bag.
Participants entering 6th grade through 12th grade receive a reading log to track each hour of reading they complete. After 20 hours of reading, teens earn a free book, a special Summer Reading pin, plus a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of more than 40 prizes, including bendable book lights, a phone stand and earbud kit, and themed book packs.
Free books for the participants who complete the program have been generously funded by the Yakima Valley Libraries Foundation.
Beginning this week, YVL is also offering a summer events calendar full of free events and activities for the whole family, including visits from the Pacific Science Center, workshops with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, an outdoor concert, and 3-D printing classes hosted by Boston-based, S.T.E.M. educators, Toys in Box.
For more information about the Summer Reading Program, including where and how kids can sign up to participate, visit www.yvl.org/summer.
Upcoming Summer Reading Events
SYMPHONY SATURDAY
Saturday, June 22 @ 2pm
Yakima Central Library
A kid-friendly violin performance featuring the music director for the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Lawrence Golan, who will perform with two very special guests – his children!
PRESTO THE MAGICIAN
Monday, June 24
Moxee Community Library @ 11am
Sunnyside Community Library @ 3:30pm
Thursday, June 27
Yakima Central Library @ 11am
Buena Community Library @ 3pm
ESCAPE ROOM IN A BOX
Tuesday, June 25th
Zillah Community Library @ 3pm
More events are scheduled through mid-August. Please check the events calendar at www.yvl.org/events/summer for more information, and the full list of activities and dates.
###