Library News & Notes: There's still time to join summer reading program

School is out, summer is finally here and the library has reopened. The library's summer reading program began yesterday, but readers through age 17 still are able to join the fun.

The requirements are simple and the rewards are many, both tangible (prizes) and intangible (a chance to lessen that summer slide in reading skills and check out some wonderful reading material).

All readers keep a log, which can be obtained at the library. Younger participants log reading time, getting points for every 30 minutes of reading. When three hours is reached, there are prizes and raffle tickets available.

Teens also keep a reading log, but the format is different. When teens complete 300 pages, they qualify for books, raffle tickets, key chains, necklaces and other theme-oriented prizes. Teens also can write book reviews to qualify for more chances to win the grand prize.

The eight-week program culminates in August with an ice cream social and drawing at the library. Head to the library, pick up the reading log and "Make a Splash" in your leisure time.

Even though I'm slightly older than 17, I'm going to keep a log of my own reading and would suggest that all parents do the same.

Friends of the Library

As the song says, "You've Got to Have Friends," and nowhere is this more applicable than at the library. In addition to thousands of volunteer hours working in the library and the Browser's Corner, the Friends of the Library supplement the budget, services and grants needed to maintain our current levels of operation.

Currently, they are assisting with the funding of the new automated check-out system, which will immediately benefit patrons and library staff. Joining the Friends is easy: pick up an application at the library and decide what level of involvement is appropriate. Also, check out www.friendscc

library.org to find out more about this wonderful organization and receive the online newsletter.

Fight the summer slide

Several articles, both online and in USA Today, have offered suggestions to combat the summer slide, in some cases as much as an 80 percent gap in academics achievement by sixth grade.

Aisha Sultan of the St. Louis Post Dispatch has several suggestions. First, combine summer activities with books. Her example mentioned reading a biography of a baseball player before attending a baseball game. Also, "Think outside the book." Newspapers, magazines, e-books, comics, blogs and anime all provide fascinating information to inspire curiosity, creativity and a love of reading that will be a painless way to fill the learning gap. Carson City is lucky enough to have a safe, welcoming library for patrons of all ages and is dynamic enough to provide more books that one can read in a summer.

• Sandy Foley is vice chairperson for the Library Board of Trustees.