Reading program starts Monday

The Culpeper County Library will kick off its 2009 summer reading program Monday.

The free annual program, which concludes Aug. 1, encourages children and teens to read throughout the summer months.

“It’s important for kids to keep reading so that they don’t lose what they’ve learned during the school year,” said Laini Bostian, youth services coordinator for the library. “Schools really want them to keep going. That’s why we have prizes to give them as an incentive.”

Participants may register any time starting Monday.

The youth program is geared toward preschoolers to fifth-graders, with goals ranging from reading 10 to 30 books within the five-week period. Some of the prizes include books, free food coupons and an ice cream or roller-skating party.

* Summer story times are also included in the reading program, and no registration is required. This four-week series, which begins June 30, is every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
* Another part of the summer reading program includes three special performances.

The first is Thursday with storyteller Autumn Morning Star, who incorporates Native American magic, stories, drumming and flute.

On July 9, an entertainer will perform songs featuring a blend of familiar tunes and lively originals.

On July 23, “Snakes Alive” will showcase tamed reptiles such as non-poisonous snakes, a box turtle, an Indonesian blue tongue skink and an adult iguana.

The three summer performance showings are 10:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. No registration is necessary.

* The summer reading program for teens also starts Monday and wraps up on July 30. To qualify, children must be in the sixth grade or higher. Participants may sign up at the library’s pizza party on Monday.

To participate in both the youth and teens programs, kids must write the titles of the books they’ve read and bring their logs into the library. Once they’ve read halfway to the goal and/or finished all of the books, they are allowed to collect prizes.