Lambton County Library is blasting off into "A Universe of Stories" with this year's Summer Reading Program.
The six-week-long initiative began on Monday.
Youth Public Services Coordinator Vanitia Campbell said although the theme is space-related, there are no restrictions on which books children should read.
"We give them suggestions in case they're not sure what to read but we really just want them to read anything," said Campbell. "Space-themed books are definitely an option and definitely something we encourage but they don't have to be."
The more books youth read, the more chances they have to earn prizes. There will also be online and in-person activities and events throughout the summer.
The program is free for library cardholders. Participants can register either in-person or online to receive an age-specific registration kit.
This year's summer program also includes a new reading initiative, specifically geared toward teens.
"The Teen Cosmic Reading Challenge encourages teens to read but we do understand that it is a little bit more difficult for our teens to carve out the time for reading because of all of their responsibilities over the summer so we've adjusted the structure of that a little bit," said Campbell. "So they just have to read for 15 minutes a day in order to track their day and then when they've read for 14 days they win a book prize."
Teens can win a maximum of three book prizes. There's also a Summer Activities Checklist challenge where upon completion, teens will be entered into a draw to win one of six $60 Amazon gift cards
The goal of the Summer Reading Program is to help fill the void in learning while children and youth are on summer break.
"The hope is that we kind of prevent them from backsliding a little bit," Campbell said. "Definitely we can't replace every day in school with the reading program but the hope is that we're helping them start that school year off just a little bit better than they would have been if they hadn't been reading all summer."
Adults are also encouraged to return to library spaces this summer. The Adult Reading Challenge allows participants to earn a ballot for each book read between July 4 and August 14, for a chance to win one of five $100 gift certificates to a Sarnia-Lambton business.
Campbell said in total, about 900 people participated in last year's program, which was scaled down as libraries operated with curbside services. Typically, anywhere from 1,000-1,5000 people register in the Summer Reading Program.
Further details about the program can be found by clicking, here.
