Our Experience with Library Reading Programs

This was our first year to take part in our local library reading programs. If you followed along on Instagram (where I did most of my online sharing this summer), then you saw plenty of pictures of us enjoying our time reading dozens of books!

Since it was our first year, and we have several libraries close to our home, we checked out multiple programs. Our favorite was the one 10 minutes from our house in our very own little town. 🙂

If you’re considering being a part of a program next summer here are some things to think about….

1. It’s FREE!

There are loads of summer activities available, but one awesome thing about reading programs is that they are completely free!

2. Most libraries let you earn a book.

This was honestly the highlight of my summer as a child. I LOVED picking out my own book at the end of each reading program. Again, this is a free book per child, and who doesn’t love that?  The picture below shows books my kids earned or won in summer program drawings just this summer….

Our library also gave out food coupons as incentives. Some were entire children’s meals to places like Chipotle, Arby’s, McDonald’s, and more!

3. You can join more than one program.

I had never thought of this before, but I found from signing the kids up for three programs this summer, that the librarians could care less how many programs you are in. The important thing to them is that you are in THEIRS.  Some libraries get part of their funding from circulation of the books, and who knows, maybe some of it is tied to how many kids sign up for the summer reading program as well. All I know is that children’s librarians will sign up anyone and everyone!  They insisted on signing Caleb up, and he’s not even old enough to do the crafts or enjoy the ice cream coupons! Don’t worry though, we didn’t let his coupons go to waste. 😉

4. You can be as involved or uninvolved as you want.

As I already mentioned, we did find our favorite library was the one closest to us, and the kids always wanted to go there. They had tons of crafts (two per week) that the kids could sign up for.  We chose our favorites and ended up going to just two craft days this summer. We also attended a really great reptile show that was the finale for the program.  At the other two libraries, we attended less events and just did the reading part.  You can spend hours at your library, or a just a few minutes each week to pick out new books to read. It’s up to you!

 
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5. Meet new friends and practice being “People Smart.”

In the book “8 Great Smarts”, author Kathy Koch talks about different areas to develop in your kids. (If you haven’t read this book, I would HIGHLY recommend it! click here to see on Amazon.) One of the areas is what she calls being “People Smart”.  For some of my kids, running up to a group of children and joining in a game comes naturally.  Chatting with the librarians at the desk, and yes, even going behind the desk, comes easily for some children. Other personalities have a hard time even looking an adult in the eye and saying a simple “hello.”   The library programs allowed lots of opportunity to work on this!

On the way to our library each week I would coach the kids on how to use their “People Smart” at the library. My shy kids had to simply greet the librarians as we passed the desk. We practiced smiling, looking them in the eye, and asking the librarians questions.  Sometimes when we got in the car after a library visit Kenny would say, “Was I people smart today, Mommy?”

They also enjoyed all the children in the play section of the library, although Addie was sad every time she had to leave her new best friends. Her “people smart” is pretty strong. 😉

6. It’s Educational

Sorry to state the obvious! But just a quick plug for reading. Never underestimate the power of reading, and always encourage your kiddos to read lots of books on lots of subjects! I was amazed by my children’s progress in reading over the course of the summer. The programs definitely encouraged them to read more books than we would have done on our own.

 

{Summary: Library Reading Programs are one of the easiest ways to get out and do something fun, free, and educational with your kids during the summer months}

Here’s an extra tip for you: When you check out the libraries in your area, ask them where their sale rack is. Every library seems to have one. Lots of times you can pick up some great kids readers or storybooks on the sale racks for $0.10-0.50 depending on their pricing system! 

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Do you have a wiggly little one that won’t sit for books?  Click below for some tips for the active tot:

“HOW TO READ TO A TODDLER WHO HAS A SHORT ATTENTION SPAN“