Summer Reading for Kids and Teens at the Timberland Regional Library

summer reading library
Kids read comic books at the library. Photo credit: Timberland Regional Library
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By Maddie Elliott

capital heating and cooling“Every hero has a story.” That is the theme for this year’s summer reading program at the Timberland Regional Library, a program that encourages kids and teens to read during the hot summer months away from school. Thanks to the program there is no shortage of encouragement.

“Timberland does something kind of unique,” says Ellen Duffy, Youth Services Coordinator for the Timberland Regional Library. “Traditionally, everybody thinks of the summer reading program where the kids read a certain number of books and they get prizes. And, you know, that is fine for readers, but is really tough for reluctant readers.” So the Timberland Regional Library makes their program different.

library summer reading
Kids attended the annual magic show during last summer’s reading program. Photo credit: Timberland Regional Library

This summer there will be an estimated 700 plus events hosted at the libraries within the five county spread of the Timberland Regional Library district, including musical performances, movie screenings, creative workshops, pizza parties, and contests. The summer reading program is about more than just tallying books read, it is about interacting with stories and with other people who enjoy them. “We decided that our role during the summer is just to get kids excited about reading,” Duffy adds. “They can come to the library and find all that in a lot of different formats.”

One way the library provides variety is by putting on contests that allow for deeper interaction between readers and books. Two of the library’s biggest activities for the summer are the Minecraft Contest and the Comic Strip Contest, which both run from June 10 until August 31. The Minecraft Contest is open to anyone who will be entering third through twelfth grade in the fall. Participants can enter by creating a scene from a book of their choice using the popular sandbox game Minecraft. (More detailed instructions can be found here). The Minecraft Contest is a returning activity, described by Duffy as “really successful” in previous years, so much so that the age range for participants had to be expanded because younger kids wanted to enter too.

The Comic Strip Contest is open to anyone who will be entering sixth through twelfth grade. Participants can enter by drawing an original five-panel comic strip using the template provided on the library’s website. (More detailed instructions can be found here). The Comic Strip Contest is new this year, designed specifically by a group within the Timberland Regional Library to go with this summer’s teen theme of “Unmask.”

Teens who come to the library this summer will see a broader definition of hero. Kristine Mahood, Teen Services Librarian for the Timberland Regional Library district, says, “We’re focusing on not just superheroes in comics and manga, but also heroes in real life.” That is what unmask is all about. The program will encourage teens to explore their identity so they can figure out who they are and who they want to be.

library summer reading
Youth Services Coordinator Ellen Duffy stands near the display for this summer’s reading program theme.

The library’s emphasis on variety ensures there will be enough things to do to keep kids busy all summer. Mahood is part of a group that designed a craft program, called Comics and Manga—Upcycled, that libraries around the district will be putting on at various times throughout the summer. Comics and Manga—Upcycled is repurposing libraries books that have been so loved they are falling apart.

For kids who are not able to make it to the library events, there are activity brochures at every Timberland Regional Library location with ideas for things to do at home and book recommendations that fit the superhero theme. Book recommendations can also be found on the library’s website or by talking to a librarian in any of the Timberland Regional Library locations.

Within Thurston County there are five locations:

  • Olympia branch  – 313 8th Ave SE
  • Lacey branch  – 500 College St. SE
  • Tumwater branch – 723 New Market Street
  • Tenino branch – 172 Central Ave W
  • Yelm branch – 210 Prairie Street

“Our staff is there 100% to find the greatest book for each child,” says Duffy. All it takes is a library card for anyone to have access to a great selection of books, movies, magazines, music, and more.

summer reading library
Kids read comic books at the library. Photo credit: Timberland Regional Library

“We’re one of those great free options,” says Jeff Kleingartner, Communications Manager for the Timberland Regional Library. The library is there for everyone, and has been since the Timberland Library district was formed in 1968. The summer reading program has been going as long as anyone can remember.

“I can’t imagine a time when there wasn’t a summer reading program with lots of things going on,” says Duffy. And the librarians intend to keep it that way.

A lot of hard work goes into making sure the program stays current. Timberland Regional Library Teens has a Facebook page, a tumblr, a YouTube channel, and an Instagram where teens can go to get connected with library events and book related news.

The summer reading program at the Timberland Regional Library kicks off on June 10 and runs until August 31. There will be plenty of things for kids and teens to do all summer at the library. For details about events at specific libraries within the district, please visit the Timberland Regional Library’s website calendar.

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