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This year’s Hays Public Library Summer Reading Challenge theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library! Taking that theme to heart, the library will have weeks focused on adventurous subjects such as pirates, nature, dragons, and oceans. The challenge will run from May 20th to July 31st.
The library will use the online program Beanstack to track summer reading for children and teens. Through Beanstack, families register participants and use the program to log their reading progress. Staff will assist with sign-up and logging for those without computer access. Challenges have been created for each age group, early literacy, elementary, and young adult.
For children and teens, the Summer Reading Challenge is an exciting way to improve literacy during the summer months. Numerous studies show that kids who don't read during summer vacation, actually slip in reading ability by the time school begins in the fall.
Registration is required and begins May 1st, online or in person. Each child who registers receives a gift. A prize will be given to each child who completes their challenge by the end of the event on July 31st. Those who complete the challenge also will put their name in a drawing for the grand prize of their choice. The ending party, open to everyone, will be held at the Hays Aquatic Park on Aug. 2.
Adults participate in the Summer Challenge by completing activities on a bookmark that can be picked up at the library, beginning May 20th. They will receive a tote bag when they sign up. There will be 10 activities. Adults will have until July 31st to complete all the activities and submit an entry into the end of the summer adult prize drawing.
A day of activities will kick off the Challenge on May 20. Along with crafts and snacks, the day will include performances by Jammin’ Randy at 10 a.m., Jetpack Jason at 1 p.m., and an interactive movie at 3 p.m.
For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge and to sign up on Beanstack, go to hayslibrary.org/srp24 or call 785-625-9014.