Sign up for Summer Reading programs at Mesa Public Library

May 28, 2019 at 12:45 pm

School's out and what's a better way to start the summer than registering for summer reading! Summer Reading programs are open to all ages from infants through adults at all four branches of the Mesa Public Library. The program starts on Saturday, June 1 and continues through Thursday, Aug. 1.

This year's theme is "A Universe of Stories," which encourages participants to explore outer space and exercise their minds by reading at least 20 minutes a day.

There will be kickoff events at three of the branches June 1 from 10 a.m. to noon:

Main Library, 64 E. 1st St. There will be space-themed crafts and activities. People can also register for the program. Mayor John Giles and Councilmember Jen Duff are scheduled to participate.

Red Mountain Branch, 635 N. Power Road. There will be space-themed crafts and activities. People can also register for the program. Councilmember David Luna is scheduled to participate.

Dobson Ranch Branch, 2425 S. Dobson Road. There will be space-themed crafts and activities. People can also register for the program. Councilmember Francisco Heredia is scheduled to participate.

Participants can earn online badges to keep a healthy competition with family and friends. A link to register and get information on prizes is available at www.mesalibrary.org/summerreading. You can also log your reading hours. Every minute spent reading equals one point.

Prizes include coupons to Peter Piper Pizza and Rubio's Coastal Grill. All ages can get an Arizona State Parks pass, kids and teens can earn a pass to Uptown Jungle Mesa and Mesa Parks and Recreation has provided pool admission passes to kids. Raffle prizes are available to those who have logged 500 points by July 1 and another round of prizes will be raffled to those reaching 1000 points by Aug. 1.

"Most people don't realize that our summer reading programs are open to adults as well as children," Mesa Library Director Heather Wolf said. "We want to make summer reading a family affair and encourage parents to join in on reading with their kids."

Studies have shown that students who participate in a summer reading program have better reading skills at the end of third grade and score higher on standardized tests than students who do not participate. Summer reading loss is also cumulative -- by the end of 6th grade, children who consistently lose reading skills over the summer will be two years behind their classmates. Reading just five books over the summer can prevent summer learning loss.

Library
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov