Leavenworth branch to kick off Summer Library Program

The Leavenworth branch of the North Central Regional Library (NCRL) district will launch the region’s Summer Library Program for children, teens and adults.

The NCRL's Summer Library Program, which begins the day after school is out for summer and runs until Aug. 31, encourages children to attend their local library to check out books and build their reading skills. It also prevents summer reading loss, prepares kids for the next school year and encourages families to read together and engage in library activities.

Children can visit the library to register for the program. After signing up, they will receive a challenge pack, which includes a registration card they need to complete. It also features a list of challenges, ranging from attending a library event and reading a book about a real person to learning a new word in a different language. Patrons can turn in their challenge cards and be entered into prize drawings for dolls, books, toys and other items.

Although the library will have a variety of activities for children, Joanne Gembe said teens and adults can participate in the program.

Like their younger counterparts, teens can sign up, receive a challenge pack and earn rewards for completing challenges and books.

Teens who are searching for a good book to read can try one of the items from the Teen Summer Reads 2019 list, which includes fiction books like the No. 1 New York Times Besteller Tom Adeyemi’s “Children of Blood and Bone” and nonfiction tales like Steve Sheinkin’s “Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian Football Team.”

Another way teens can partake in the summer fun is to volunteer to help at library events.

The NCRL also has a summer program for adults who want to model their reading habits for their children or want to access resources.

Similar to the Teens program, adults can sign up at their local library where they will receive a challenge pack and reading log to track their progress. Every three books they read earns them a prize entry, as do every challenge pack they finish.

Families who cannot visit their local library branch can check out the NCRL website for the library's Kids Summer Library Program for children 11 years and younger.

The online program allows kids play games and complete challenges. Patrons will be entered into a prize drawing for every three challenges they can complete. here is also an online option for teens and adults. 

In addition to the program activities, there will be fun craft events and programs at the Leavenworth library, one being the Jump For Joy, More Village Rhythms from Around the World on June 25 from 2-3 p.m. The event features dancer Susan Wickett Ford, who teaches music, movement and rhythm as a way to celebrate culture.

On July 19, from 3-4 p.m., Sean Gaskell will perform music on an African Kora, a 21-string harp

“I saw him perform at the Wenatchee branch, and I am excited to have him come to our brach,” Gembe said. 

The Burke Museum returns for its “Dig In!” event on July 24, from 4-5 p.m. Patrons will have an opportunity to examine fossils, rocks and minerals, as well as cast replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals and plantlike.

Gembe said the “Dig In” even is one of the branch’s bigger events.

For more information about the NCRL summer programs, visit http://www.ncrl.org.