June 29, 2016
Page 9
Mississippi
Alberta
North Portland
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
Photo Courtesy the m ultnomah C ounty l ibrary
Kids at Sitton School in north Portland take on the role of superhero readers as part of last year’s Summer Reading program by the Multnomah County Library.
Summer Reading Challenge
End of late book ines
encourage participation
Multnomah County Library’s 2016 Summer Reading
Program gets underway with a big change for young read-
ers and their families.
Starting this summer, the library will no longer charge
late ines for youth materials or for cardholders younger
than 18. The library will also forgive existing youth late
ines. Replacement fees remain in place for all unreturned
materials.
The library’s Summer Reading program entices kids to
read for pleasure when school is not in session, maintain-
ing the skills developed during the school year and en-
couraging lifelong library use. Last year, approximately
110,000 babies, kids and teens participated.
This year, over 85,000 students have already signed up
through school.
The library partners with seven Multnomah Coun-
ty school districts: Centennial, Corbett, David Douglas,
Gresham-Barlow, Parkrose, Portland Public and Reyn-
olds. Working with schools enables the library to reach
students across Multnomah County and reinforce the fact
that summer reading is critical for school success.
The program is open to kids of all ages, from birth to
high school students entering grade 12. Anyone who has not
signed up through school may do so at any neighborhood
library. This year’s theme is wellness, sports and itness.
Upon sign-up, participants or their parents receive a
gameboard customized for their age group. Participants
then engage in any number of literacy-building activities
and track their progress on their gameboards. Activities
include reading, being read to, listening to audiobooks, at-
tending a library event or writing about their favorite way
to get moving.
As they complete levels on their gameboards, partici-
pants earn books, free passes, restaurant coupons and oth-
er prizes.
The Summer Reading Program is open to kids of all
ages. You can sign up at any neighborhood library.