The Tulsa City-County Library’s annual Summer Reading Program kicks off May 30.
The program encourages kids and teens to read by offering free events through the summer and prizes for reading a certain number of books. Library CEO Kim Johnson says the goal is to keep students from suffering summer brain drain.
"The Tulsa City-County Library knows that all children need opportunities during the summer to develop new skills and to build their confidence so they return to school ready to succeed," Johnson said.
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum told kids at Central Library on Tuesday the Summer Reading Program is a good way to keep on track in school.
"But also, what it will mean to you guys for the rest of your lives [is] that not only do you know how to read books really well, but you love reading books," Bynum said. "Did you know I still have my medal from the city reading program from 1985?"
One in five Tulsa-area students participated in the Summer Reading Program last year, and the library says participants last year read more than 309,000 books.
There’s a bigger challenge than matching that number for all of Tulsa County through partnership with A Gathering Place for Tulsa.
"We are challenging Tulsa students, like me, to reach a countywide goal of reading 2 million books before the park's opening," said fourth-grader Ariana Reagon. "It's a big task, but if we all work together, I know we can do it."
The program begins May 30 and ends Aug. 5. Anyone may register at a library branch or online.
Libraries will be staging free reading events throughout the summer, and there are prizes for kids who read a certain number of books.
