Libraries strive to keep kids reading all summer
The dreaded "summer slide" refers to the learning loss that occurs during the few months kids are out of school. The Las Vegas-Clark County and North Las Vegas library districts and Henderson District Public Libraries are looking to combat that slide and keep kids engaged in learning by offering incentive-based summer reading programs for young children, teens and adults.
LAS VEGAS-CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District’s Summer Reading Program is under way and scheduled to run through July 31.
Children 5 or younger can join the Rubber Ducky Reading Club. Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade can join the Dream Big, READ! program. Kids in sixth grade or higher can join the Own the Night program.
Young readers can track their reading on a log provided by the library or, for the first time, online at lvccld.org.
"Summer reading has been a national initiative for libraries for a long time," said Mary Nelson Brown, youth services coordinator for the library district. "When kids are reading over the summer, research shows kids come back in the fall maintaining where they were at academically or improving."
Brown said she hopes online tracking can increase participation outside of library district branches in places such as day care centers and Boys & Girls Clubs.
Grand prize drawings at the end of the program are planned for each age group at all library branches. Kids can win books, Barnes & Noble gift cards and Sony e-readers.
The more kids read, the more Book Bucks they can earn, which can be used to buy books from library bookstores.
"We hope it helps them build a home library," Brown said. "We want to emphasize that it’s free. We want to encourage families to come in and see what we have. We want to really instill a love of reading."
All libraries have family entertainment scheduled throughout the summer. For more information and to find a branch near you, visit lvccld.org or call 734-7323.
NORTH LAS VEGAS LIBRARY DISTRICT
The North Las Vegas Library District’s summer reading program is scheduled to start Thursday and run through July 31. It has the same age groups as the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District’s program.
Participants can keep track of their reading by picking up a log book at their local library. Kids can get small prizes throughout the summer and earn tickets to be entered in a grand prize drawing for each age group at each library branch.
Ronald McDonald is scheduled to visit the Alexander Library, 1755 W. Alexander Road, at 2 p.m. Saturday and July 11, and the North Las Vegas Library, 2300 Civic Center Drive, at noon June 21. Doodad the Magician is scheduled to perform at the North Las Vegas Library at noon July 10, at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way, at noon July 11 and at the Alexander Library at 2 p.m. July 11.
For more information about the North Las Vegas Library District, visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com and click on "Departments & Services."
For more information, about the North Las Vegas Library, call 633-1070. For the Alexander Library, call 633-2880. For the Aliante Library, call 839-2980.
HENDERSON DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The Henderson District Public Libraries’ program is scheduled to start Saturday and run through Aug. 25 for kids and adults.
"We try to encourage families to participate," said Marcie Smedley, youth services director. "When kids see their parents reading, it cements that for them, and they will become readers in turn.
"We’re pushing really hard, just keeping the kids involved so they don’t lose out and fall behind in their schooling. … Kids not participating will lose up to three months of their vocabulary and learning from the previous school year."
The Groove Club Slumber Party is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 28 at the Galleria Library, 1300 W. Sunset Road, Suite 1121, and will include songs and activities appropriate for children 4 to 11. Storyteller Jim Cogan is scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. July 25 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway, and at 3 p.m. July 25 at the Lydia Malcolm Library, 2960 Sunridge Heights Parkway. The show is appropriate for all ages, and registration is required.
A two-actor adaptation of "Pinocchio" is scheduled for 11 a.m. July 28 at the James I. Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway. The play will involve members from the audience and will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
For more information about Henderson District Public Libraries and to register for programs, visit http://www.mypubliclibrary.com/catalog/.
Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.
