Summer Reading Program kicks off in June
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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Library of Graham's Summer Reading Program kicks off in June and is open to all children in kindergarten through fifth grade with a goal of reading 30 minutes per day for five days a week. -
(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) KP Music Studio in Graham provided children a percussion experience in Shawnee Park as part of the Library of Graham Summer Reading Program in 2023. The music studio will return this year Monday, June 3. The location of activities this year has changed back to North Central Texas College.
Creating a habit of reading that lasts a lifetime while curbing the learning gap in the school summer months are the objectives of the Library of Graham’s Summer Reading Program.
The annual program is open to all children in kindergarten through fifth grade who set a goal of reading 30 minutes per day for five days a week. Children, parents or guardians will note the time read on a reading log which can be turned into the library when the program kicks off at the beginning of June.
“Summer reading is just designed to keep kids reading in the summer months even though school is out,” Library Director DeAnna Bullock said. “At this point (in their education) kids are learning to read and once they get to middle school and up they are reading to learn. So that is the whole idea is to develop those habits.”
The library works in coordination with Graham ISD and kindergarten classes will be touring the facility this month. They will get to learn about the program and take home a reading log. Reading logs will be available at the library and will be online Friday, May 10.
During the program there is no assigned reading list for the children. Children, or their parents or guardians, can choose what they want to read to help establish a love of reading.
“It’s easy reading. It’s whatever they want to read,” Bullock said. “...You have the freedom to read whatever you want to read. And for the smaller kids, if a parent, grandparent, friend or whatever reads aloud to them it still counts.”
For each week a child completes a reading log they earn a weekly reward at the library. The participating children must come into the library to receive their weekly reward and after six weeks can receive a larger prize.
“Any kid who completes all six weeks of the reading logs will get a swag bag that contains free books and small prizes,” Bullock said. “Kids can pick up their swag bags any time from July 15 to Aug. 5.”
The library has seven programs lined up with everything from dancing to science experience. The programs will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. each Monday at the North Central Texas College Community Room at 928 Cherry St.
“The last program of the season, ‘Around the World in One Bite’ presented by Chef Eleanor Burkett of Middle Sister, is also our finale,” Bullock said. “Kids who complete all six weeks of the reading program and are present at the finale, will be entered to win grand prizes.”
The program activities were moved from outside of the library in Shawnee Park to the location where they were held in previous years at NCTC to accommodate more children.
The library is open from 9 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information regarding the Summer Reading Program and other community programs offered by the library, visit libraryofgrahamtx.org.
Summer Reading Program Activities
I’ve Got the Music in Me
KP Music Studio
Monday, June 3
Dancing Machine
Allison’s School of Dance
Monday, June 10
Rob Holliday Magic Balloon Show
Monday, June 17
Mad Science
Mad Science, Inc.
Monday, June 24
It’s a Wild-life
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Monday, July 1
No Strings Attached
MCP Puppet Shows
Monday, July 8
Around the World in One Bite/Finale
Middle Sister
Monday, July 15
