Cromaine Library Offers Summer Events and Prizes for Hartland Readers

With summer vacation officially here for many Hartland students, Cromaine Director Ceci Marlow says that she has already noticed some parents posting on Facebook about finding things to occupy their kids and avoid messy homes.

“We’re about your best free entertainment around,” she said laughing. “It’s just a great series of events.”

To help keep the events fun and entertaining, many of the scheduled programs are based off of popular trends such as Angry Birds on the computer or the Hunger Games book series. 

The Summer Reading Program also launched last week and each participant will receive a free book after they register.

Many libraries have been participating in summer reading programs for years, hoping to help maintain reading levels for children during the summer months, according to Marlow. Helping adults and children recognize the need to work the brain and eyes muscles is just as important, Marlow says, as the outdoor activity during the summer months.

“There are adults and kids who place so much emphasis on physical activity that they don’t recognize the needed physical activity of the eyes,” Marlow said.  “We forget too, that is a physical activity too, that you have to keep in shape.”

Children and adults are both encouraged to keep track of the books they read over the summer by filling out reading slips which can then be submitted at both locations for monthly drawings. Prizes include new bikes, a Nook Touch and gift certificates to local businesses.

“Some parents object to prizes, because they don’t think the kids should be earning prizes,” Marlow said. “But in reality, in the real world, when you work hard, you make more money.” 

Marlow’s three pieces of advice to help encourage summer reading includes:

• Model reading: Marlow says that adults have to model good reading habits to expect results from their children.
• Family participation: Read aloud as a family or read books your children are also reading so that families can discuss it together. This also helps with comprehension, according to Marlow, which is an area of concern for many young readers.
• Make it fun: During summer road trips, find a book on tape that everyone can enjoy.