Library reading program for children starts June 1

Summer is more than just playing outdoors for children — it can be about reading books and winning prizes, including a pool and pizza party.

The Irene Ingle Public Library’s summer reading program is open to children entering kindergarten through the freshman year of high school in the fall.

Almost 100 children completed the reading program last year, Margaret Villarma, library director, said last week.

Children need to come into the library or call 907-874-3535 to register in advance; the reading program starts June 1 and runs through July 30. The library is open noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

The program will operate the same as in past years. Kids will need to come into the library and take a very short quiz on a tablet to test their reading level so that library staff can help direct them to books to check out based on their skills and interests.

After children complete a book, they will answer a few online questions and receive points for each book they read, Villarma explained.

Children will drop their points into jars for prize drawings — the more books they read, the more points they earn, the more chances they have to win prizes at the end of the summer.

The library has been running the summer reading program for children for more than 25 years, Villarma said.