Southwest Public Libraries invites the community to a summer of fun and learning with its annual Summer Reading Challenge, launching June 3, and running through July 30. The challenge is open to all ages, infants through adults and features reading fun, live entertainment, and engaging programs all summer long.
Enjoy a celebratory kickoff show from entertainer Mike Hemmelgarn on Tuesday, June 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Westland Area Library and 1:30 p.m. at Grove City Library. All performers and programs are free and open to the public.
Summer Reading Challenge participants will be able to track their reading, attend library programs, and complete activities to earn prizes and raffle entries for gift cards and more. This year’s theme, “All Together Now,” promotes not just literacy but also kindness, friendship, and community. Participants may sign up beginning June 3 online at the library’s website swpl.org, in-person at the library, or through the READsquared app available in Google Play and The App Store.
“Summer Reading Challenge is for the whole family,” said Brittany Harrison, youth services librarian at the Westland Area Library. “We want everyone to be involved. Summer reading is key in preventing summer slide for kids and ensuring that they go to the next grade prepared. It also helps keep adult brains active.”
The research-backed “summer slide” refers to the tendency for children to lose significant learning gains over the summer if they do not participate in reading or other enrichment activities while on summer break.
While excited children and teens make up the majority of challenge participants, the library’s adult challenge has been quickly growing in popularity with prizes and raffles of its own.
“Our adult Summer Reading Challenge promotes adult literacy and offers interaction with the library and friends in so many fun and different ways,” says Grove City Adult Services Librarian, Emma Trudeau. “Not only can you earn prizes for reading, you are invited to join us for book discussions, DIY programs, crafting or game nights, and much more.”
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge features two live performers and presenters for youth each week hosted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus a multitude of other library programs. Check out swpl.org for a full schedule of all presenters and events.
Library Programs: The Highlights
•Weekly storytimes, plus Storytime in the Park
•Art, craft, and DIY programs for youth and adults
•Weekly Take & Make kits for youth and adults
•Sensory and STEM programs for youth
•Game nights, retro video game nights, and movie nights for adults
•Educational adult programs from OSU extension, The Bee Collective, and more
•Free Job Search Assistance
•Free Legal Advice Clinics
Southwest Public Libraries serves over 127 square miles in southwest Franklin county and surrounding areas through its two branches, Grove City Library and Westland Area Library. SPL seeks to serve as the community’s center for lifelong learning by connecting visitors with resources, technology, and programs to educate and inspire. The library system provides access to millions of items through a consortium partnership with 17 central Ohio libraries and offers an array of free services to the community.
Visit swpl.org for more information or connect with SPL on social media: Facebook @SPLFranklinCountyOH and Instagram @southwestpl.
