Summer reading can include fantastic prizes
Summer reading can be a relaxing form of therapy and escape for adults, and the Holmes County Library is making it possible for them to grab some gift prizes if they join the Summer Reading Program.
The Holmes County District Public Library is inviting area families to bring nature and the joy of animals right into their homes this summer, although these animal interactions that are part of the Summer Reading Program won’t leave any footprints on the floor.
The annual Summer Reading Program will kick off June 7 and run through July 31. This year’s theme is “Tails and Tales” and will focus on reading material based around the theme of animal life.
Holmes County District Public Library director Paula Cicconetti said with school now out, the library offers a great opportunity for children and teens to continue to improve their reading skills, something that has proven to aid the learning process greatly. She also said the adult reading program is important because reading can be a form of relaxation and ease the stress of everyday life.
“We’re excited to offer a program that will encourage people to continue to read,” Cicconetti said. “We have a slate of really fun and interesting summer activities that should be great for the whole family.”
As part of the Summer Reading Program, the library is offering grand prizes for several age groups. Through joining the reading program, children can qualify for a drawing for a one-year family membership to the Cleveland Zoo. Teens will qualify for a drawing to win a new Nintendo Switch Lite, and adults could earn a $100 gift card to either Walmart or Amazon.
In order to usher in the event on the right note, the library will present a summer reading kick-off event on Friday, June 4 from 5-8 p.m. at the central library on Glen Drive in Millersburg.
There, people can register for the Summer Reading Program, pick up packets and sign up for a chance to win a family membership to the Cleveland Zoo.
There also will be plenty of entertainment on hand including an Outback Ray animal exhibit, live music by Mike Gorrell and Jesse Smith from the band Northwest Territory, food available from Exclusively Yours Catering, a bounce house, a host of yard games, and therapy dogs from Caring Therapy Canines.
Once the evening is over, the library will continue to branch out its services to the community by offering the yard games for circulation.
“It’s part of our effort to find creative and fun ways to connect with the community and to provide a wide array of options that can provide family fun and entertainment,” Cicconetti said.
Beginning June 7, the main branch will have yard games available for checkout for one-week periods. The games can be checked out for free, just like books. The available list of games at the event and then later for signing out include Connect 4, cornhole, dominoes, Gigantagrams, Jenga, kick darts, ladder toss, match game, ring toss and Yardzee.
In addition, the library announced its new summer hours at the central library, which will see it opening and closing a bit earlier while maintaining the same number of daily hours.
The library will open Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m. with closing times at 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday; and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The east library branch hours in Walnut Creek will remain the same as they always were.