Becker and Clearwater public libraries are kicking off their summer reading programs next week with lots of excitement and fun, family-friendly events at both branches.
This year’s theme is “It’s Showtime at Your Local Library,” and upcoming events are planned to get the program off to a ‘famous’ start.
This summer’s reading program runs from June 10 to Aug. 10 and is designed to help students to keep reading and their minds active all summer long. Programs are available for children 0-12 and teens in grades 6-12.
“At the Becker Public Library, our goal is to make it easy for students to avoid the summer slide,” said Becker Librarian Jeannette Burkhardt. “Stop in anytime June 10 or later to register for our summer reading program.”
Prizes will be given out as reading logs are completed, with grand prizes awarded at the summer reading program’s conclusion in August.
“Don’t let your brains turn into oatmeal,” said Clearwater Librarian Cyrene Bastien. “Come to the library this summer!”
“The summer reading program generates a lot of excitement,” said Burkhardt. “It’s so much fun to see the large number of kids participating in the program and attending other events the library hosts throughout the summer.”
Becker is kicking off their summer reading program Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. with ‘The Skally Line: Old Time String Band Music and Minnesota Stories,’ as well as a photo booth with props that will be open through the 15th.
“Skally Line kicks off not only the summer reading program on June 10, but also the start of the week’s events leading up to Freedom Days in Becker,” said Burkhardt.
Magician Nathan Stockwell will be at the library June 11 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. with his family-friendly comedy magic show, and on June 17 ‘Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead’ will have kids exploring the “A” in STEAM - art, and learning how it’s connected to science, technology, engineering and math.
June18 ‘It’s Showtime with Joan Jacobson’ will have kids working on an art project based on the book Showtime for Billie and Coco, and on June 27 the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge will be giving a presentation on bald eagles.
The Clearwater Library is also kicking off their summer reading program Monday. Wednesday, June 12, ‘The Big Fun Show’ with one-man circus Dave Walbridge will be at the library from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. with juggling, magic and more.
June 15 kids can make a card for Father’s Day, and ‘The Dollipops’ will be bringing their interactive, high-energy show to the library June 27.
Clearwater’s Tuesday story times will also be extra special during their summer reading program. June 18 and July 30 will feature yoga story time with Lightbody Studio, and special activities are planned for June 25 and July 23.
July 9 will feature the ‘It’s Showtime with Joan Jacobson’ art project, and ‘The Bug Guy’ is bringing his hands-on educational program featuring insects and arthropods on July 16. Be prepared to get wet Aug. 6, as Clearwater’s summer reading program wraps up with fun indoor and outdoor activities, including a water balloon toss!
The goal of the summer reading program is to defeat the ‘summer slide,’ which occurs when students fall backward in learning during their three-month summer break. The benefits of reading during this time are huge. Research has shown that students who participate in summer reading programs score higher on reading achievement tests in the fall than those who didn’t participate.
Mark the dates and join in the fun at the Becker and Clearwater libraries this summer! Both branches belong to the Great River Regional Library system. For more information on programs available at all branches, visit griver.org/events.
