For more than 40 years, thousands of adults, teens, and children have read and earned prizes during the Summer Learning program at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. This year, readers will also get the chance to stretch their creative skills. The 2016 Summer Learning Program with the theme Read, Make, Create runs June 1–July 31.
Readers can visit CincinnatiLibrary.org beginning June 1 to register and begin earning prizes. The site includes a reading tracker, a list of all the available prizes, a list of programs, and reading recommendations for all ages. Everyone who registers for summer reading will receive a free ticket to a Cincinnati Reds game! Magazines, newspapers, textbooks, eBooks, eAudiobooks, and reading aloud to a child all count toward the reading total. Readers can collect prizes for each level they complete by visiting any Library location.
New this summer, readers of all ages can expand their creativity by attending Read, Make, Create programs offered at all 41 Library locations. These programs incorporate hands-on learning opportunities using technology and the Library’s MakerSpace equipment.
Teens get an exclusive chance to use MakerSpace equipment during four special after-hours events. Registration is required for the Teen Maker Lock-ins, which run from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Friday, June 3, at the St. Bernard Branch
Friday, June 10, in the Main Library’s TeenSpot and MakerSpace
Saturday, June 11, at the Westwood Branch
Friday, June 24, at the Anderson Branch
To register for the Teen Maker Lock-ins or to find out more about other #ReadMakeCreate events, stop by any Library location or check the Library’s program calendar.
In addition, educators across Hamilton County are helping the Library to make sure all children have the reading skills they need by the end of third grade. For the third year in a row, the Library is holding Summer Camp Reading. This year, camps will be held at the Avondale, Bond Hill, College Hill, Corryville, Pleasant Ridge, Price Hill, and Walnut Hills branch libraries.
During these four-week camps (July 5–29), students will get one-on-one reading instruction from certified teachers. The curriculum is designed to help kids gain the skills they need while having fun. By the end of the program, campers will show significant improvement in word recognition, comprehension, and reading fluency. Teachers and parents who wish to register a struggling student can contact the Library by emailing programs@CincinnatiLibrary.org or calling 513-369-7855. Students must be entering third grade in the fall. Other restrictions apply.
Thanks to the sponsors who have made a commitment to Summer Learning: Duke Energy, the Cincinnati Reds, the Anderson Township Library Association, the Charles H. Dater Foundation, the William Dally Foundation, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the Friends of the Public Library, Gold Star Chili, the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Advisory Council, The Jack J. Smith, Jr. Charitable Trust of PNC Bank, the Kroger Co., the Library Foundation, supported by the Newman’s Own Foundation, the Pfau Foundation, the Maxwell Weaver Foundation at U.S. Bank, Western & Southern and Wing Eyecare along with our media partners Cincinnati Family Magazine, Hulafrog, and Metro.
