Ellsworth stays cool with summer reading

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

The Holbrook Library is keeping cool with a free Summer Reading Program, set to run from June 20 through July 25.

The Summer Reading Program is run in partnership with the Department of Defense Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Summer Reading Program. The program is designed to encourage reading over the summer to help children retain literacy skills and material learned throughout the school year.

“Statistics have proven that children who read over the summer score significantly higher on tests, than children who don’t read over the summer,” said Wanda Greene, a 28th Force Support Squadron senior library technician. “It also promotes socialization skills – especially in younger children, who have not started school yet. They learn that reading can be fun.”

Interested readers can sign up at the Holbrook Library beginning June 10. Once registered, participants will receive a welcome bag packed with a reading log, a t-shirt, activity pages and other goodies.

Readers will earn points for each minute they read or are read to – if they’re not reading yet. Bookworms of all ages are invited to participate.

To make things more interesting, Airmen can earn points too. The squadron with the most points at the end of the program will be awarded bragging rights and a traveling trophy.

“The caveat we added this summer is the Squadron Challenge, we wanted to get more participation from our Airmen,” said Greene. “We thought this was a good opportunity for them to participate alongside their families, and to compete against one another.”

Participants will keep track of points by using the reading log provided in the welcome bag. In addition to reading, points can be earned by completing activity sheets and participating in the weekly activities at Holbrook.

Top readers will compete at the Air Force level and winners will receive a gift card. Participants will have a chance to win tickets for prizes provided from Holbrook as well.

For more information about the Summer Reading Program and activities – contact The Holbrook Library at 605-385-1686.