Summer Reading Program offers incentives, rewards

It may still be spring but summer reading has begun.  The Canyon Lake Library started registration on June 5 for its Summer Reading Program titled “Reading by Design.”

The program with a science and technology theme is using on-line registration for the first time. The web site, srp.rivlib.net, may be accessed from a computer, phone or tablet with an internet connection.

Library users who do not have internet may register at the library’s public computers. Individuals who are not friendly with computers may come into the library to register with a handwritten form.

The program is different from last year. This year, there is on-line login, the program is eight weeks instead of six and prizes are earned from books read instead of time spent reading. One family account can be established with individual readers entered within the one account.

Badges and points are earned by reading books and attending activities at the library.  The program will keep track of titles for each person and a list can be printed at the end of summer if needed for school. Prize awards will begin June 19 for all prizes earned to date. The program is for both children and adults.

Each year, the library has an extra reading drawing. This is an incentive for reading beyond the program minimums until the summer’s end. This years big prizes for the drawing will be a Meccano – Meccasaur, a 60 inch great white shark nylon kite and a Spacerails Level 3 game.

The point system associated with the on-line program is for bragging rights. Each book earns 100 points and each program or activity such as Toddler Story Time, the Writers Club for middle schoolers and other programs and activities earns 10 points each.  A special code obtained at the event is needed to claim the points.

The library is seeking a few more incentive prizes for the program. The incentive program uses small rewards for each of four stages of the reading program and for extra-reading prizes as an opportunity drawing for children who do more than the minimum. When the theme was music, a local studio provided a guitar as the grand prize. When the theme was games and exercise, Rock Fitness provided passes for a free day on their rock wall.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Reading by Design,” the library is looking for items related to science, technology, engineering, art or mathematics that will motivate children to keep reading for additional opportunities to win the prizes.

The library welcomes anything construction or science related, such as Legos, Meccano, early science and robotic projects, art kits, etc.

The library is also looking for sponsoring prizes for its upcoming Fashion Design Contest and Solution Design Contest.

In the Fashion Design Contest children will dress stuffed animals for public vote. The Solution Design Contest will take a common problem and invite solutions. Contestants will provide their solution with a written explanation of their design and how it addresses the problem.

For more information or to donate a prize, contact Sandra Brautigam at the Canyon Lake Library at 951-244-9181.