Durham County (NC) library kick-off annual summer reading program

The 2012 - 2013 school year has ended and it is time to start the summer reading program at local libraries.  All libraries across North Carolina summer reading program theme is “Digging Into Reading”.  This article will share activities that Durham County will host during the summer to enhance children reading skills. Remember children who read six or more books over the summer gain in reading achievement (e.g. vocabulary, comprehension) than their age peers who do not.

“Digging Into Reading” will kick-off Saturday, June 15 at Northgate Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Some events booths are North Carolina Zoo, Museum of Life and Science, Zumba area, storytelling, crafts, bounce house, prizes, free Reading is Fundamental (RIF) books and much more fun activities.  

Here are some of the first-time special events as children read during the summer.

1.      Dig Into Fitness:  Challenge Wave, June 15 – July 15 (adult summer reading to train their brains by reading and their bodies).

2.      Dig Into Environmentalist Science:  EPA Village Green Project Lunch, June 22 (install a prototype bench at the South Regional branch – bench will become operational with ribbon cutting from 10:00 a.m. – noon.

3.      Dig Into Sports:  Mid-point rally, July 10 (celebration with Durham Bulls held at Athletic Park at home game).

4.      Dig Into Space:  First Library in Space, July 10 prior to the game (launching of capsule fill with library memorabilia into near space).

5.      Finale, on August 9 and 10, rewards will be given to everyone with a system wide Celebration of Reading. 

For more information about Summer Reading visit website at

http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/summerreading.  Registration begins Saturday at the kick-off and will be open afterward online or in person at any library location.  Let the reading begin taking you wherever you want to go through printed words.