Library rewards prizes for reading during the summer

Leah, Harmony and Zahara Mitchel collect prizes they earned during the library’s Summer Reading Program. Photo provided by Sandra Brautigam

More than 280 readers are participating in the Canyon Lake Library’s Summer Reading Program. Prizes are currently being rewarded for every 150 minutes of reading, which is equivalent to reading 30 minutes five days a week. Times are entered onto a log.

The prizes are toys for the first four weeks. Four prizes are available at the beginning of the program where a prize pick is guaranteed. After the first four prizes are earned, children earn drawing tickets for larger prizes.

Children three and younger who can’t read may earn prizes by being read to or child-adult teams reading together.

Teens have different prizes to pick from and different prizes associated with the tickets.  Adults can earn tickets through book reviews and library bingo. Adults are also included in the One Million Summer Challenge to get one million adults across California to read during the summer.

Other games associated with the program include a Guess-How-Many game, which changes weekly, and a bingo card for kids. Tickets can be earned for a drawing that includes a large water float.

The first week’s Guess-How-Many was won in a tie by two sisters. The children took home a water bottle of 114 small toys. The subject of the guessing is changed weekly on Wednesday. The winner is awarded the container and its contents. Ties among non-family members are broken by a second drawing from all winning tickets.

The next program activity will be the Kid’s Reptile Party on Monday, June 25. Kids will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with reptiles. The program includes information about the animals, their names and habits and a meet and greet at the end of the program. This is a popular program. Last year, the library had an overflow crowd.  Plans this year include tickets to be given out a 30 minutes before the performance to keep the room occupancy at a safe level and to ensure an excellent program experience.

Following the Kid’s reptile Party will be Comic Books 101 on Monday, July 9, at 3 p.m.

Toddler Story Time, for kids ages three and younger, will continue through the summer. The program is held on Mondays at 11 a.m. and includes stories and a craft to take home.

Tutoring for children of school age is available at the library is available on Saturdays at 10 a.m.

The Adult Book Club will meet on Monday, June 25, at 4 p.m. The book this month is “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith.

The library is seeking teen volunteers to assist with prize awards, programs and other summer program activities. The library participates in school programs for volunteer hours required for graduation. Teens have more opportunity and a better choice in hours for volunteering at the library when school is not in session. Training will be provided and the library staff will assist with questions.

Teen volunteers are needed to assist with tutoring on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. The volunteer program allows teens to earn hours by helping lower grade students with mathematics, reading and other subjects they may be having difficulties with.

For more information, contact the library at 951-244-9181.