Summer reading is my favorite time of year in Library land. Keeping kids engaged with reading over summer is critical to their success at the start of the new school year but the part I love most is when we celebrate and empower young people to choose books themselves for fun and enjoyment because that is how we build a community of lifelong readers.

The last few months have brought uncertainty and stress and the library has had to find new ways to engage and support families.  We launched a new Summer Reading website that connected 477 patrons to the library featuring a BINGO card as a fun way to promote reading, book clubs and other programs to connect with fellow readers, and activities that could be available any time patrons to learn everything from puppet making to Take and Make kits to build race cars.

But the heart of Summer Reading is getting books in the hands of kids. We gave away 160 free books and art supplies to kids at Summer Food Spots at McKinley and William Walker in July. Free book giveaways continue at our library as readers have been submitting their completed bingo cards to the library to claim their book prize at our takeout service.

We loved being a part of your summer and we look forward to helping throughout the upcoming school year.

Happy reading,

Kristen and the entire West Slope Library team.