Wendy Lehman, the director of the library’s youth services department, reads a book to youth outside.
By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published June 7, 2023
ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — As students close their school books for summer, the Rochester Hills Public Library is giving them a host of fun options to help keep their reading skills sharp until fall.
The library’s annual summer reading program kicks off June 10, giving kids, teens and adults a chance to participate in summer reading challenges and activities through Aug. 12 for a chance to win prizes.
“We all know about the summer slide, so we really want to help students on their reading journey through summer,” said Wendy Lehman, the library’s head of youth services. “If we keep them reading, hopefully, when they return to school, they haven’t lost much of their skill base.”
Patrons of all ages are invited to the Summer Reading Kick Off Party 1-4 p.m. June 10 for outdoor entertainment, cold treats and summer fun on the library lawn. Participants are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to the Neighborhood House.
The only rule for summer reading this year is to read every day.
Everyone who participates in the library’s summer reading program through Aug. 12 will receive a free book, but there is also a chance to win many other prizes by reading. All forms of reading count — articles, print books, e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels and magazines — and earn people virtual reading and activity badges for the chance to win prizes.
“For every week they read, they will get an entry into our drawings for fun grand prizes for all ages,” Lehman said.
Each badge earned gives the summer reading participant a ticket into the library’s grand prize drawings — which include a Detroit Zoo membership for parents; a Nintendo Switch for teens; magnetic blocks, and arts and crafts supplies for youth; and dinner in downtown Rochester for adults; to name just a few.
Library Director Juliane Morian said the summer reading challenge is the best way to discover all the resources and activities the library offers.
“RHPL prioritizes reading and lifelong learning. Libraries support learners and readers of all ages and continually strive to help patrons find joy and discovery through reading,” she said in a statement.
To sign up for the summer reading program, visit www.rhpl.beanstack.org. Parents of participating children can register themselves first and then add readers to their accounts to keep track of all readers in one spot. Patrons can also use the Beanstack app to track their progress from their phone.
The Rochester Hills Public Library is located at 500 Olde Towne Road in downtown Rochester. For more information, call (248) 656-2900, visit www.rhpl.org or email help@rhpl.org.