As the school year comes to a close, local libraries are once again gearing up for summer readers.
Oak Park Public Library’s summer reading program for children, “Build a Better World,” kicks off June 7. Genevieve Grove, elementary school services librarian, said a lot of libraries might be taking more of a STEM approach to that theme, but Oak Park has a different focus.
“We’re looking at more of the social justice and community building aspects of it,” Grove said. “It all just fits really nicely.”
New this year: rather than ending in July as it typically has, the program runs through Aug. 22, which is in direct response to parent feedback, Grove said.
“It is literally the entire summer vacation this year,” Grove said. The program is open to all, no OPPL card required.
In extending the program, Grove said staff considered how they could make the program more equitable for everyone and added levels that readers won’t be able to reach until early July, to pace them.
Readers ages 3 and up will accrue beads, charms and dog tags to make their own personal necklaces that signify the amount of reading they’ve done, Grove said. The necklaces were popular during last year’s Olympics summer reading theme. Children under 3 will earn rubber ducks, bubbles and beach balls.
OPPL will offer events like concerts, special storytimes and a solar eclipse watching party to close out the program. Opportunities to win raffle prizes like pool and ice rink passes and movie theater passes will be available all summer long, Grove said.
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At the River Forest Public Library, “Reading by Design” begins June 8 with a kickoff party from 2:30-5:30 p.m., featuring bounce houses and popcorn, said Amy Grossman, manager of children’s services. Many programs and events have an art, programming or design theme, and summer reading runs through Aug. 4.
“It’s my favorite time of the year,” Grossman said.
RFPL’s program offers six opportunities for those ages 3 to entering fourth grade to earn prizes, based on minutes read or read to.
Grove and Grossman both mentioned the importance of summer reading programs in addressing the “summer slide” sometimes seen when students return to school in the fall.
“We focus a lot in summertime on supporting the work that teachers have done during the school year,” Grove said, adding that even a few hours of reading over the summer can help.
Both libraries also offer teen and adult summer reading programs. Rachael Bild, high school services librarian at OPPL, said Oak Park has held a teen summer volunteer program since 2008 that aims to foster positive youth development.
For more information, visit www.oppl.org and www.riverforestlibrary.org.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.