Grand Rapids library summer program encourages you to ‘read s’more’
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Summer Reading Challenge from the Grand Rapids Public Library kicks off next week.
The program encourages residents to ‘read s’more’ and will run from May 28 to Sept. 7. Readers of all ages are welcome to sign up online or at any GRPL branch.
Participants will receive a reading challenge passport, which includes several challenges like “revisit a book you didn’t finish,” or “read a book that makes you laugh,” GRPL Marketing Director Katie Zychowski said. She said the challenges are designed to be fun and easy.
After completing six challenges, you can stop in for a prize, and then get a bigger prize after completing 12.
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“The prizes are really groovy,” Zychowski said, “We’ve got everything from stickers to koozies to coolers to gift cards that have been provided to us by local community organizations. … We have a wide variety of prizes for all age groups.”
She explained that the program is designed to help offset the learning loss students may experience during summer break. It’s offered to all ages because the team found that adults wanted to join and it can have a bigger impact on families by involving everyone.
“During the summer months when kids are not in school, it can be hard to stay engaged with educational experiences,” Zychowski said. “The Summer Reading Challenge is unique in that it … encourages (participants) to find new skills and hobbies and interests and gets them participating in a program that is both educational, but it’s also really fun. And so doing that throughout the summer months, specifically for kids and teens, allows them to be really ready when they go back to school in the fall.”
The program is free and doesn’t even require a library card.
“Anyone at any age can join the summer reading challenge and get in on the fun,” Zychowski said.
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The library is gearing up for a busy summer, with lots of other programs going on alongside the Summer Reading Challenge. There will be outdoor story times throughout the summer at spots like Garfield Park and Mulick Park, which will offer free books and ice cream to kids 15 years old and younger.
“There’s a ton of offerings that happen for kids and for families and for adults throughout the year,” Zychowski said. “All events, all programs (are) always free.”
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