Kids can earn Nintendo Switch Lites, Rays game tickets, and more through Hillsborough County Public Library reading programs
School is over and summer has officially arrived. Are your kids looking for something to do? Why not encourage them to read?
Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC) is hosting summer reading programs with interactive events, reading challenges, and prizes for all ages.
Adventure begins at your library
The Adventure Begins at Your Library reading challenge is here! Booklovers of all ages can log reading and activities to unlock digital badges and fun prizes.
Read all summer to earn a badge, a complimentary book, and stickers. When they complete the reading challenge of 24 hours (for kids and teens) or 4 books read (for adults), participants can earn a t-shirt (kids) or a booklight (teens and adults).
Throughout the summer, participants can track their reading through Beanstack. Doing so makes them eligible to win additional prizes, including Apple Air Pods, Nintendo Switch Lites, Kindle Fires, Echo Shows, and tickets to ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
The registration portal, Beanstack, includes themed-reading suggestions for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Users can download the Beanstack mobile app and log progress on the go. Program participants can also sign up for and use Beanstack from a desktop computer.
A full list of summer reading challenge events and other library classes and programs can be found at HCPLC Events and Classes.
Reading with the Rays
Hours spent reading in the Adventure Begins at Your Library program can also be used toward progress in the Reading with the Rays challenge. Participants can pick up a Reading with the Rays game card at their preferred Hillsborough County Public Library branch to be eligible for prizes.
Youth may keep track of their hours read in Beanstack and on the Rays card. Once the game card is completed, readers can turn it in to their local public library for a chance to win Tampa Bay Rays prizes, including tickets to a home game. Over 1,100 Rays tickets were earned last summer.
Why is reading over summer break important?
Children's school-year gains in reading and math may decrease by 20 to 50% during the summer months, according to the Northwest Evaluation Association. Reading over the summer break can help a child's critical thinking skills and ability to retain information. It can also encourage a lifelong interest in reading for pleasure.
Reading together is also a great way to bond with kids while supporting their cognitive development. Have your kids read out loud to you or read to them. Doing so helps children develop listening and communication skills.
Summer reading is good for adults, too
Adults need adventures, too! Reading can be a relaxing escape and easy way to take a break from the daily grind. Furthermore, because children learn by example, it may be beneficial for parents and caregivers to develop reading habits.
An adventure-themed reading list geared specifically towards adults can be found at Adults: Adventure Begins at Your Library. Remember, the summer reading challenge is open to everyone, and adults can win prizes, too!
Make this summer a time to read, learn, and imagine. Sign up your kids and yourself for one or both reading programs. Let the summer reading adventures begin!
Visit the Hillsborough County Public Library website for information about all the resources available to residents, free of charge.