Summer reading programs for children are gearing up in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. These reading programs include exciting in-person and online events, contests and the chance to meet award-winning authors. Continuing a steady reading schedule can be difficult for kids during the summer. But it can be critical in helping kids retain all the progress they made during the school year.
Pinellas reading program
The St. Petersburg Library System encourages readers of all ages to continue learning, even while school is out. This year, the program celebrates oceanography, with the theme Oceans of Possibilities. The program has been online for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is back live in 2022.
“We are delighted to be able to once again offer free, engaging summer programming to the community,” said Mika Nelson, St. Petersburg Library System Director. “Now that we are again able to offer summer programming in person, the community can get the most out of what St. Pete’s libraries have to offer.”
The summer kick-off event takes place at the Mirror Lake Community Library, where participants can pick up Summer Programming Guides and some take-home activities. The kick-off is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The library is located at 280 5th Street North.
The youth guide includes take-home crafts, curated book bundles, reading challenges and prizes. Young readers can also participate in Reading with the Rays and receive two free tickets to a Tampa Bay Rays game, along with other prizes.
For adults, there are lectures, discussions, storytellers, and adventurers who help promote lifelong learning.
In addition to the reading program, the City of St. Petersburg has partnered with Summer BreakSpot to provide free meals for kids 18 and younger May 31-Aug. 5 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. These meals are available at the James Weldon Johnson Library, 1059 18th Ave. South and South Community Library, 2300 Roy Hanna Drive South.
Hillsborough reading program
In Hillsborough County, little ones, tweens, teens and adults are all invited to log their reading and activities in exchange for unlocking digital badges and story recommendations. Hillsborough County Libraries is also using the theme, Oceans of Possibilities. The program runs June 1 to July 31.
Adults who participate will receive a one-year membership to Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. This is a group of dedicated volunteers that work to strengthen, support and advocate for the free public libraries in Tampa and Hillsborough County.
All participants have the opportunity to win books and technology-based prizes during this year’s reading challenge.
In addition to logging in their reading from June 1 through July 3, participants can attend select live virtual events to attend. Participating in the program registers all for a chance to win tickets to ZooTampa, along with game consoles, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and robotics.
Kids can pick up their Reading with the Rays game cards at their preferred library branch beginning June 5. Use the game card to record reading or use Beanstack. This app is used by countless libraries across the country to grow reading culture. Sign up for Beanstack online.
Turn in the completed card for a chance to win Tampa Bay Rays prizes.
Three notable authors will also participate in this summer’s program, giving participants a chance to win a free book. Kate DiCamillo, New York Times Bestseller and Newberry Award winner, kicks off the series June 3 at 6:30 p.m., followed by Kate Messner June 16 at 12 p.m. and Greg Neri June 29 at 2 p.m.
Those interested in the author lectures can register online.
This year’s Hillsborough program also offers a program called Share Your Story. Participants can submit a photo, tell their summer library story and have it featured on the library’s website!
Why summer reading programs are so important
Summer reading programs are critical for students to retain skills learned in the previous school year. Those who do not read risk a loss of that knowledge, falling behind their classmates. School districts across the country have required reading assignments for students, often incorporated into library programs.
A study by Barbara Heyns in 1978 found that students who participate in summer reading programs can dramatically improve, or at least maintain their reading skills. A more recent study conducted at Johns Hopkins University showed that students lose out if they do not take part in active education over the summer.
