Registration Open For Library Summer Reading Program

Shake, rattle, and read! Visit the Nashville Public Library to register your children now for the Summer Reading Program, “Read to the Rhythm!” The program runs from June 10 through July 15 and is offered for children going into grades kindergarten through sixth grades. Last year’s program involved 79 children who completed the program and 14 student volunteers.

Pre-registration for the reading program is required and must be done in person at the library. Information about the kick-off party and a calendar of events will be given to the participant when registering. There is no charge for the Summer Reading Program, but participants must have a valid Nashville Public Library card. Deadline for registration is June 1, so that sufficient materials can be ordered for crafts and activities.

Student volunteers, grades 7-12, are also encouraged to register and help with the program. Volunteers help with weekly attendance, crafts, the treasure chest, and setting up and cleaning up. Community service hours are logged and volunteers are rewarded at the conclusion of the program with a pizza party.

Two sessions for younger children, kindergarten through second grades, will be offered this year. Parents sign their children up for only one session. One session will be offered on Wednesday mornings from 10 – 11 a.m. and another session will be offered on Wednesday afternoons from 1 – 2 p.m. A session may be cancelled if there are not enough children signing up for the session. The program for younger children typically consists of stories, games, and crafts.

Older children, third through sixth grades, meet on Thursday afternoons from 1 – 2 p.m. Older children are not read to but experience a program of special entertainment, activities, games, and crafts.

The purpose of the reading program is for children to read or be read to during the summer months when school is not in session. Summer reading is important to prevent “summer slide” in which children who don’t read during the summer can lose up to two months of learning by the time they return to school in the fall.

To encourage children to read, the Nashville Public Library has children record books they have read on “book logs.” Each week that the child brings their book log into their program, volunteers record the number of pages each child has read, and the child picks a small prize out of the treasure chest.

The kick-off party on Wednesday, June 10, at 1 p.m. takes place at the Nashville Community Center and combines all age groups. Entertainment features Leonardo, the “guitar hero,” with his “Rockin’ & Reading!” show. Wearing his “musical suit”, children will enjoy a one man band that educates, entertains and empowers audiences of all ages and abilities. Following the show, reading book logs will be distributed and refreshments will be served.

During the next four weeks, children are divided into three groups that meet weekly at the Nashville Public Library.

The wrap-up party on Wednesday, July 15, at 1 p.m. also takes place at the Nashville Community Center and combines all age groups. Emmy Award winning singers and songwriters, WildHeart, will bring “the heart of the wild to the heart of the child.” Sing along to their original upbeat animal tunes that teach “pawsitively” amazing facts about wildlife. Following the show, an award ceremony featuring reading certificates, prizes, and refreshments concludes the reading program.

Any further questions about this year’s Summer Reading Program can be directed to Linda Summers or Stephanie Goedken at 327-3827.