Library Summer Reading Program Helps Keep Kids Ready For School

Many prizes were handed out on Friday as part of the Summer Reading Program.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – During the summer months, reading may often be the last concern for any kid, but for parents and educators, reading during the summer is a very important part of helping your child or student be ready for the next school year.

The phenomenon is often called the ‘summer slide’ and it can take up to three months for students to be back on track with their peers.

The Oskaloosa Public Library offered the summer reading program to not only the youngest of our community, but to everyone interested in tackling a few books.

On Friday, the program came to a close for the summer with a ceremony at the library, which had over 700 participants of all ages.

There wasn’t a particular reading list for participants, but the younger crowd enjoyed the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ series, and Pokemon was pretty hot towards the end of the program. It must have been the heat of summer that drove readers to the Christmas books, as that was also a popular read over the program.

Oskaloosa Public Library Director Nicole Morgan said that overall, there was a wide variety that was read during the program.

During the 8 weeks of the program, readers logged hours they spent reading, and obtained prizes along the way.

On Friday at the library, the end of the program came with some bigger prize giveaways. Those prizes and the other rewards along the way were made possible by generous contributions from area businesses, organizations and individuals.

During the remaining portions of the summer, Morgan said that the library will continue to encourage kids to read with more programming.

After school starts, the library will continue to hold programs to engage with young minds and foster the love of reading to the youngest with story time among others.

You can find out more about upcoming events by visiting the Oskaloosa Public Library website HERE.