Summer reading program under way

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
The Weston County Library’s summer reading program, themed “Imagine Your Story,” began on June 1, giving readers a chance at some summer fun and normalcy in the midst of trying times. 
While the coronavirus pandemic has made it impossible for the library to offer its normal summer fun activities, according to children’s librarian Amanda Sanford, it is still going to offer the reading challenge portion of the summer reading program. In addition, with a little imagination and the help of social media, the library decided to continue story time virtually via Facebook. The library’s Facebook page, under the name Weston County Library, is posting videos of Sanford reading a story each week for young children. It is also posting recommended reading lists for kids of all ages. Craft kits will also be available to pick up at the library at different times. 
The reading challenge is available to all ages – just stop by the library to sign up and pick up a log. Young children through fifth grade get to place a sticker on their log for every 20 minutes of reading or being read to, and sixth through 12th graders log the title of the books they read, along with the page count of the book. 
“I think it’s even more important this year,” Sanford said. 
The summer reading challenge helps with the notorious “summer slide,” Sanford said, and keeps children’s minds sharp with their reading skills so they’re more prepared for the start of the school year. With a premature ending to the 2019-20 school year, this opportunity is needed even more, she said.
“We try to make it fun,” Sanford said, noting her desire to keep the challenge low pressure and enjoyable for kids. 
Everyone who signs up gets a drawstring backpack, and fun prizes await children after they turn in their reading log at the end of August. The older age group will get first-, second- and third-place prizes for the most pages read. Younger readers who complete and turn in their logs will be entered in a drawing to win a T-shirt. Other prizes include cups, pencils and toys. 
“I need to be sure to thank our sponsors: Powder River Energy Corp., RT Communications and Ruthie Spence of A-1 Agency,” Sanford said. 
These fun reading activities aren’t just for kids, though. In addition to being eligible to sign up downstairs through 12th grade, the adult section of the library is accepting people 15 and older for its reading challenge. Participants in the adult challenge will log the books they read, along with the author, and prizes will be given out to first, second and third places. Lisa Thomas, in charge of circulation services at the library, said that entrants will turn in their logs by Sept. 1, and they will be counted to determine the winners. 
Thomas said that this year’s reading challenge is a welcome and much-needed escape from what’s going on in the world. 
“I think it’s a sense of normalcy,” Thomas said. Even though the program has been altered from previous years, it still provides something to look forward to. 
Brenda Mahoney-Ayres, library director, said she is also happy to see a sense of normalcy return to the library. She said it’s been hard not seeing the usual busyness surrounding the summer months, which brings in many library visitors. Mahoney-Ayres said that the library staff will do their best to be there for the community, offering some entertainment through this tough time. 
“COVID-19 dealt us a challenge, and we are exploring creative ways to offer our programming,” Mahoney-Ayres said. “It speaks to the relationship between the library and the community.”