BY LAURA DUCHARME
Special to the Clarkston News
When summer approaches – reading is the last thing many students think about.
The Clarkston Independent District Library is trying to change that by getting people to keep reading all summer with various activities.
The program begins with the Imagine That Teen Art Show this Friday.
This is the sixth year for the art show. There are usually about 70 entries and they are expecting the same this year. The show takes place from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Next, is the Summer Reading Kick Off on June 23, 6 – 8 p.m. This is the chance for students to sign up for the summer reading program. There is face painting, popcorn and the Oakland Country Parks will be there with retro games to play. The Clarkston Area Women’s Club is a sponsor of the event.
The Summer Reading Program is a great way to get everyone, students and adults, to continue reading even when school is not in session.
By filling out a reading log and turning it in every week the students get a chance to receive a slip to guess how many objects are in a jar to win a prize. Every student who turns in at least five slips during the eight week program receives a free book.
“It’s an incentive to get them to read,” said Keegan Sulecki, the head of technology services at the library. “It gives students an opportunity to be social with their reading.”
The Summer Reading Program is split up by age group. The theme for the children’s program is “Fizz, Boom, Read” and there are events for everyone to attend.
Aris-Toddlers Story Hour will take place every Thursday and is for children from birth to 23 months. With a caregiver, the children are able to hear interactive stories, including rhymes and sensory activities.
There are events every Wednesday for children ages 2-4 years old. The event is called Isaac’s Inventors. With a caregiver, the children are able to participate in different activities, including games and crafts.
Curie’s Creators is for children in Kindergarten through second grade. Every Tuesday the children get to participate in different activities and experiments.
DaVinci’s Dynamos is available for children in grades third through fifth. Every Thursday kids make crafts and participate in experiments and activities, including how to grow crystals.
Spark a Reaction is the theme for children in grades sixth through 12th. By registering beforehand, the children will get to participate in experiments every Wednesday. There is even a Dr. Who party for fans of the television show.
Events are plentiful for adults to enjoy too beginning with bingo night on June 24. Participants get a bingo sheet and when they complete a row they can turn it in to be entered into a drawing.
There is another event for adults called “Experiment with a Book.” Books will be wrapped in black paper with clues on them to give an idea on what the book is about.
All of these events are to help promote reading and learning when school is out.
“There is a backside when school is out,” Sulecki said.
For full details on the events, more information is available on the library’s website, www.indelib.org.