The Tuscarawas County Public Library System invites the whole family to participate in this year’s Summer Reading program titled Adventure Begins At Your Library with activities and contests. Kids, teens, and adults can have fun reading, attending programs, and earning prizes this summer at the Main Library, as well as the Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek, and Tuscarawas Branches from June 3rd through July 27th.
Library customers can download the Beanstack Tracker app onto any of their smart devices or visit tusclibrary.beanstack.org on a home computer to register for Summer Reading. Through Beanstack, participants can track reading, participate in challenges, and engage in fun literacy activities.
“Parents are able to create a single account and add their children as readers so they can keep everything in one place and don’t have to juggle multiple accounts,” said Public Relations Associate Marisa Bleininger.
It only takes 20 minutes of reading each day to help prevent summer learning loss, and the library’s program can help. Kids are challenged to read 20 hours this summer and with each hour completed, they will be entered into a grand prize drawing. Once they read 20 hours, they earn a free book that they can pick up from any TCPL location.
Teens and Adults are also challenged to read for 20 hours this summer. For each hour read, they gain an entry for the grand prize. Once they read 20 hours, they earn a free sticker that they can pick up from any TCPL location.
The county library’s eight-week Summer Reading program is free and open to everyone. All five libraries will host a variety of programs geared towards adults including cooking and genealogy classes, technology classes, author visits, and art and travel programs. Children will enjoy themed storytimes, camps, programs, and live animal encounters, while teens can participate in anime clubs, multiple gaming competitions, and more.
In addition to the 20-hour challenge, summer readers who attend programs will receive an entry to monthly prizes each time they attend a program.
“The program is designed to help kids get excited about reading and learning even when school is out,” said Bleininger. “We know that not everyone has access to a smart device or home computer and internet, so we made sure to include a paper reading log for the challenge in our summer program guide.”
The library system will be kicking off its Summer Reading program with a party at each of its locations. Each Summer Reading Kickoff Party will be unique but will include music, food, and fun for the whole family. Each person who attends a Kickoff Party will be entered into a separate drawing to win a 12 passenger person pontoon ride at Atwood Lake. Dates and times of each party are as follows:
- May 30th at 5:30 PM – Main Library (121 Fair Ave NW, New Phila)
- May 30th at 6:00 PM – Strasburg Branch (356 5th Street SW)
- June 1st at 11:00 AM – Bolivar Branch (455 West Water Street)
- June 4th at 4:30 PM – Sugarcreek Branch (120 South Broadway)
- June 4th at 5:00 PM – Tuscarawas Branch (209 South Main Street)
For details about specific program offerings, pick up the library’s programming newsletter at your nearest Tuscarawas County Public Library System location or find it online.