Maxwell-Gunter libraries host summer reading programs

  • Published
  • By Rachel Mathis
  • Marketing and Publicity Maxwell Support Division
Many parents are wondering how to keep their children busy doing something constructive. Nothing seems to beat good old fashioned reading or for very young children, being read to. 

Summer reading programs are a great way to provide children regular opportunities to read books, play games and other fun activities, and listen to stories. While children might be more focused on the fun and prizes involved, educators know that these programs help little kids get ready to read and big kids raise scores.

Studies have shown that reading four or five books over the summer months has an impact on reading achievement comparable to attending summer school. Other studies concluded that, "children who read more than a half an hour per day during the summer had significantly higher reading comprehension gains compared with children who did not."

In addition, a study has shown that "children whose parents read to them at least twice a week over the summer also improved comprehension skills more than children whose parents did not."

Maxwell & Gunter Air Force Base Community Libraries' free summer reading programs are for kids under 18 years old.  Parents or guardians may register children to 12 years old for the 2009 Summer Reading Program "Be Creative @ Your Library" and teens ages 13 to 18 years old for "Express Yourself @ Your Library."

Register Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. at both libraries. The program runs June 1 through July 31.

Beginning June 1, parents of children and teens who are registered for the Library Summer Reading Program can pick up reading logs, a reading goal sheet, and books at both library, and children can begin reading. Children choose their own reading goals--number of pages, books, or minutes--and keep track of their reading in reading logs.

All children who achieve their reading goal will receive a prize after the Library Summer Reading Program ends July 31; prizes can be picked up at either library as early as Aug. 1. Preschoolers can participate as well--books read by parents to pre-schoolers count!

This year, Maxwell Community Library is planning weekly summer reading activities for preschoolers during weekly Story Time on Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11 a.m. and book club meetings for kids and teens Thursdays, 3 to 4 p.m.

Gunter Community Library is planning weekly summer reading activities for preschoolers during weekly Story Time on Wednesdays, 10:30 to 11 a.m. A game night and pizza party is scheduled  June 26, 6 to 8 p.m. at Maxwell Community Library for registered participants.

So that Maxwell Library can plan attendance for Game Night, the Library Director asks parents of Summer Reading participants to sign up children to attend Game

Night--sign-up sheets are on the circulation desks at Maxwell Community Library.  For more information about the Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base Community Library Summer Reading Programs, contact Maxwell Community Library at 953-6484 or Gunter Community Library at 416-3179.

In addition, the Community Libraries will be participating in the Books over to Bowling programs with the Maxwell and Gunter Bowling Centers. This program is designed to keep students reading during the summer months by providing a fun incentive - free bowling games. This program runs June 1 through Aug. 1. 

Students can come to the bowling centers and pick up a Book Card for their grade level.
Groups are based on what grade the student will be in when school starts in August 2009.

Groups are Kindergarten through third grade and fourth grade and up. Students entering Kindergarten through third grade read five books. Students entering fourth and up read 300 total pages - every 100 pages counts as a book.

Students write down the book name and date they read the book on their book card. A parent or guardian signs the card to verify the student's reading. When the card is completely filled, bring that card to Gunter Lanes or Maxwell Bowling Center for one free game of bowling. Only reading that is submitted on official Books over to bowling cards will be valid.

For more information, call Maxwell Bowling Center at 953-5049 or Gunter Lanes at 416-3186.