McCracken County Public Library gets ready to kick off their summer reading program this June and July, for three age groups: children, teens and adults, with grand prizes including an iPad, Chrome Book, Kindle Fire and more. On Sounds Good, Kate Lochte speaks with the library's youth services manager Linda Bartley and adult services manager Sara McGowan about the challenges and encouraging literacy.
Last year, the adult summer reading program included 298 adults turning in punch cards showing they've read at least 10 books, with a total book number of 4,650. This year, 10 books will get you a tote bag and a drawing entry for an iPad. In late July, a discussion of the book The Natural by Bernard Malamud will be followed by a film showing of the adaptation at Maiden Alley Cinema with more prizes.
For kids, this year's theme is "every hero has a story" centered around comics books. The six-week program includes family friendly shows like "What's Your Super Power" by the Lexington Arts & Science Center, "Animal Avengers" and a stating of "Three Little Kittens" by Market House Theatre. Kids can participate in reading challenges where 12 books read will get a backpack filled with coupons for places across the region and Kentucky. The age range for this group is 5 to 12.
For teens, there's a drop in program Mondays from 2 to 4 for ages 11 to 17, hosted by library staff. Teens are encouraged to read eight chapter books and will receive backpacks with coupons for local and statewide places and be entered into a grand prize drawing for a Kindle Fire. On July 20, Chris Schweizer leads a workshop on how to make and self publish your own comics or graphic novels. Last year, 800 children received backpacks including 149 teens.
