By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Keep checking in with CSP to see guest posts from our friends at CMLibrary – they’ll be offering tons of Smarty tips for taking full advantage of YOUR library. Enjoy!
What comes to mind when you think about summer? Swimming? Vacations? Summer Camp? This year, make reading part of your summer fun.
No matter what your reason for reading—whether it is to learn new things, escape with a great story or simply to relax and unwind—you reap great benefits. Teachers and literacy experts agree that reading throughout the summer helps students retain skills learned during the school year. Research shows that students who spend just 20 minutes a day reading during the summer are able to return to school in the fall prepared to start learning where they left off, avoiding the “summer slide.” Most importantly, when parents and children enjoy summer reading together, children develop a love of books and reading that lasts a lifetime.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages everyone to include reading in their summer activities, and offers lots of fun and easy and best of all FREE ways to help your family keep reading and learning while school is out.
Summer Reading
The Library’s summer reading program runs from June 15-August 15, with reading programs for all ages —toddlers, kids, teens and adults! Sign up online starting May 27 at cmlibrary.org/summerread. (You can also visit your favorite branch and Library staff will help you register!)
Then, starting June 15, track your reading using the Library’s online reading log and win prizes as you reach reading milestones. The Library also offers the chance to earn small fine waivers, to encourage reading all summer long.
Programs and Events at Your Library This Summer
The Library also offers hundreds of programs to keep your children (and you!) engaged and learning over the summer. From interactive art workshops to scavenger hunts to Storytimes and book clubs, there is something for everyone.
Find a program perfect for your family to participate in this summer at cmlibrary.org/programs.
Digital Resources
Love to read but don’t have room in your luggage for your summer reading material? No need to stress. Your Library can help.
The Library offers an extensive collection of FREE digital downloads for e-readers and mobile devices, including e-books, e-audiobooks, movies and music. Check out this blog post for a run-down of our most popular digital services and what they offer—all available with your Library card.
Most of these resources offer reading materials for children, teens and adults, allowing the whole family to find fun reads together this summer.
So, as you plan (and daydream about) your summer trips and activities, check out what your Library has to offer. If you don’t have your Library card yet, get started today.
