Heat up fun with summer reading program

When kids stop reading during summer vacation, the summer slide happens. No, this isn’t a toy found at the playground.

The summer slide is the loss of academic skills and knowledge that takes place over the course of summer vacation.

The loss in learning varies across grade level, subject, and family income (from educationvoyager.com). When children take a 3-month vacation from reading, it may take up to three months after the start of the school year for them to regain the reading skills they had at the end of the previous school year.

That’s why the library organizes a huge summer reading program every year. Preschoolers through teens can participate for prizes and special events. This year’s theme, “Build A Better World,” encourages kids to create and build with tactile workshops and themed programs. Although it is a national initiative, the theme is perfectly timed for the Sandpoint Library since we will be starting a big building project of our own this summer!*

Right now, our teen and children’s services librarians are visiting classrooms and day care centers to provide kids with reading log game boards and everything they need to know to participate in Summer Reading so that they can get started on Monday, the official kick-off day. Game boards will be available for everyone at the Information Desk on Monday. Age-appropriate challenges, prizes, and events are described in detail on our website, www.eBonnerLibrary.org.

There is not a minimum number of books required to participate in summer reading, but reading as few as six books over the summer can keep kids off the summer slide. Some kids love to read and other kids just haven’t learned to love reading yet. The Library’s Summer Reading challenge is perfect either way. For more information, visit our website or call Morgan or Suzanne, Teen and Children’s Services Librarians for the East Bonner County Library District.

*Visit www.eBonnerLibrary.org for details about “Your Library Transformation,” the Sandpoint Library’s remodel and expansion project.

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Branch Library, 1407 Cedar, unless otherwise indicated.

- Saturday, June 3 — Computer class on computer basics, 8:15 a.m. sharp. Learn about the parts of a computer, computer terminology, memory, navigation and accessibility. Space is limited and pre-registration is required; call 263-6930.

- Saturday, June 3 — Friends of the Library book sale, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This month, all science fiction and romance books are 10 cents each. We are featuring a collection of Sue Grafton’s alphabet mysteries and books on sports. On our center table, we’ll have a special collection entitled “Summertime Schooling and Parenting”. We are also featuring a large selection of wonderful cook books to enhance your summer cooking and barbecue. You will also find the usual large supply of mysteries, general fiction, how-to and media. Enjoy the hunt for literary treasures at wonderful prices. Don’t forget to look at our shelf located inside the library.

- Monday, June 5 — Summer Reading Challenge. Library’s annual Summer Reading Challenge starts Monday, June 5, with the 2017 theme: “Build A Better World.” Pick up a game board and start logging your reading and read-to-me hours now through Aug. 21 for fun programs and prizes! Reading logs available for kids of pre-reading age through teen. At the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint and Clark Fork branch libraries.

- Tuesday, June 6 — Mother Goose Reading & Singing, 10:15 a.m.; ages 0-3.

- Tuesday, June 6 — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m.; ages 2-5.

- Tuesday, June 6 — Make It at The Library, 3 p.m. Kids and families create with robotics, Arduinos, needlework, Legos and other projects.

- Tuesday, June 6 — Robotics with Lego Mindstorm, 3 p.m. Learn to build or code. For boys and girls age 8-plus at the East Bonner County Library District Clark Fork branch, 601 Main.

- Wednesday, June 7 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8. Event is held at the East Bonner County Library District Clark Fork branch, 601 Main.

- Saturday, June 10 — Computer class on internet basics, 8:15 a.m. sharp. The amount of information available on the internet is staggering. Learn how to sift through it efficiently to find useful information. Space is limited and preregistration is required, 263-6930.

- Saturday, June 10 — Original soul psalms and songs with Jesse Warburton, 2 p.m. A new creative expression combining poetry and music presented by Jesse Warburton (A.K.A. Brother Music).

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing and community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.