Portneuf District Library aims to stop the ‘summer slump’ with reading program
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CHUBBUCK – A local library director is getting the word out about how the reading program can help people stay out of the summer reading slump.
The Portneuf District Library’s summer reading program has officially begun, with the library holding a kick-off event on Monday evening at 5210 Stuart Avenue in Chubbuck. Despite common perception, Library director Cresta Craner says it’s for children and adults alike.
“I encourage adults to sign up and participate because whether we realize it or not, kids are watching,” said Craner. “If they see mom and dad, big brother or cousin reading while they’re reading, it makes a world of difference.”
“Summer Reading Underwater Adventure” is this year’s theme. People who want to participate can register by talking to Miss Amanda and Miss Melissa. Everyday until Friday, the two librarians will be under the main entrance, where participants can get their reading log.
Craner explained that initially the reading program was created with kids in mind, and was designed to keep their brain active during the summer months.
“There’s what’s called the summer slump, where kids are out of school, they lose some of the progression that they’ve had,” Craner said. “They’ve got two to three months where they’re not in school, and (the summer reading program is) like any other exercise. You’re exercising your brain.”
But Craner said that the library added adults to the summer reading program because children are more likely to read in a house where they see adults reading as well.
“If you model the way, kids learn,” Craner explained.
Parents with infants and toddlers who can’t read yet are especially encouraged to read to their children, and that counts towards their children’s reading.
“We encourage parents to read to them because kids are modeling that behavior, and little ones learn that way. They may not be of reading age yet, but they’re still learning,” Craner said.
Craner also clarified that people don’t have to read out of a book for it to count towards their daily reading, saying, “All reading counts. Doesn’t matter if it’s closed captioning on the TV (or) audio books.”
“There are people who maybe haven’t read a book for years, and that’s okay. What do you read? Do you read the news on your phone? Do you read a magazine?” Craner asks. “Those things count.”
Craner hopes that gives way to more reading.
“Maybe that (gives you) the reading bug, and you’re like, ‘You know what? I am going to check out this book that looked interesting,’” Craner said.
The reading program will last through the summer, and conclude with a party where participants’ names will be put in a raffle drawing.
Craner explained that the library’s summer reading program is more relaxed than some others because it’s not so much about measuring exactly how much participants have read, and instead about encouraging them to build the habit.
“Some summer reading programs have a lot of rules. Ours is all about building habit, and so people just read every day and everything counts,” Craner said. “Once you learn to read, it doesn’t matter whether you’re reading a graphic novel or listening to an audio book, it stimulates the same areas of the brain.”
In addition to the summer reading program, the library’s regular summer programming begins on June 10 with a variety of activity kits available on different days of the week, read-aloud storytimes, guest speakers and more. More information can be found on the library’s Facebook page.
