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Rabun County Public Library.
With the school year coming to an end the Rabun County Public Library is gearing up to kick off its Summer Reading Program (SRP) for 2022 centered on the theme “Oceans of Possibilities.” The SRP will be held from Wednesday, June 1, and ending Thursday, July 14. The kickoff event will be a Beach Party at RCPL on Thursday, June 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. and is open to all.
Each year, the Summer Reading Program has a different summer reading theme. The library creates unique programs and events that are related to the year’s theme, and even decorate the library! Come check out the ocean decorations the library staff have created.
The goal of the Summer Reading Program is to foster reading for fun with students and adults alike. The summer slide is the loss of reading ability, academic skills and knowledge that occurs with students during the summer months. Although the decline may not affect every child, the general principle is one that can be observed in all sorts of situations.
Parent Jamie Blake said, “My three girls (ages during program 4, 5, and 7) participated in the Rabun County Library Summer Reading Program last summer (2021), and it made a huge positive impact in our family. My 7-year-old daughter, had just finished the first grade and was struggling with reading. After participating in the Summer Reading Program, Julie found more joy, confidence, and excitement with reading! She would try to read as many books as she could some days to fill in her list, and return it to the library to show Ms. Kim. My other girls were just learning to read, and love going to the library to pick out books and talk with Ms. Kim. Ms. Cannon makes reading a fun and exciting experience over the summer for kids! My girls couldn’t wait to turn in their reading list and check out new books each week, sometimes each day!”
Everyone should participate in the Rabun County Summer Reading Program!
The library staff wants to make reading as fun as possible for everyone. After meeting the reading goal for the age group, participants will get a prize and be entered into a weekly prize drawing. All children’s programs will be held at the County Pavilions behind the library. Teen and Adult programs will be held in the Community Room at the library.
This year, the participants can track their reading with paper reading logs or by using the Beanstack app.
Dyana Costello Banks, branch manager and librarian said she is excited to see more people coming to the library. “We’re looking forward to holding more events at the library this summer and beyond,” she said. “The staff having been preparing for a busier Summer Reading Program as compared to the last couple of years. We are encouraged by increased numbers of children and patrons at our Spring library programs and events.”
To be eligible for prizes, readers must meet a reading goal throughout the Summer Reading Program. More information on the summer reading program can be found rabuncountylibrary.org, Facebook, Instagram or calling the Rabun County Public Library at 706.782.3731.