Mesa Public Library is keeping the community engaged all summer long with its summer reading program and related activities.
Registering for summer reading is a fun and smart way to start the summer. You can sign up now as Mesa Public Library participates in the Arizona Summer Reading Program, June 1 through Aug. 1. The program encourages people of all ages to read for at least 20 minutes a day.
Participants can earn online badges to keep a healthy competition with family and friends. They earn points by reading and collecting secret codes for extra points at library events, with the goal of reaching 1000 points by Aug. 1.
Every minute read equals one point. There are prizes for all ages when they log 250, 500, 750 and 1000 points. Based on point levels, prizes include restaurant coupons, Arizona State Parks passes, Phoenix Mercury tickets and free books. All prizes and coupons are subject to availability while supplies last. Readers who finish the program with 1000 points will be entered for numerous raffle prizes.
"We want to make summer reading fun and accessible for everyone," said Polly Bonnett, Mesa Public Library Director. "Reading over the summer is not only vital for children to keep up their reading fluency and comprehension skills, but it also has benefits for all ages."
In conjunction with this years summer reading theme, "Color Our World," which celebrates the arts, Mesa Public Library is hosting two art contests:
- Bike to Books Contest - Students and homeschoolers in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade are invited to design bike symbol art for a City of Mesa shared-use path. The third annual Bike to Books contest aims to encourage Mesa residents to bike more, read more books and look for opportunities to combine the two by biking to a public library or neighborhood little library. Grand prize winners will have their designs installed on a Mesa shared-use path this winter. Submissions will be accepted June 1 July 31. Information is available at mesalibrary.org/biketobooks
- Library Card Design Contest All ages are invited to submit designs for a special edition library card in celebration of the new Gateway Library, opening this fall. Winning designs will be printed on library cards and distributed at all Mesa Public Library locations for a limited time. Submissions will be accepted June 1 July 31. Information is available at mesalibrary.org/librarycardcontest.
Mesa Public Library's participation in the Arizona Summer Reading Program plays a vital role reducing the "Summer Slide" or the learning loss experienced while transitioning between school years. Studies have shown that students who participate in a summer reading program have better reading skills at the end of the third grade and score higher on standardized tests than those who do not. Summer reading loss is also cumulative - by the end of 6th grade, children who consistently lose reading skills over the summer will be two years behind their classmates. Reading just five books over the summer can prevent summer reading loss.
A link to register and get information on prizes is available at mesalibrary.org/summerreading.