The Mary J Barnett Memorial Library is preparing for an important summer program.

Director Jerri Hawkins says that registration for the library’s summer reading program is now open, and families can get their children signed up. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio why the program is significant.

“The importance is just to give them some more opportunity to learn something in a different environment. Maybe it’s presented to them in a different way and to help keep encouraging literacy. It might introduce them to a new style of book, it might introduce them to a new type of career path, and it also helps (to) keep reduce(ing) that summer slide. The longer we can keep the kids reading over the summer or doing some kind of activities, it really helps them keep their grades up for school.”

Hawkins mentions that there is a Google form that can be found on the library’s website that parents can fill out and get their children enrolled in the program. She adds that throughout May, they will be sending out physical copies of the schedule with children, so that parents know what their kids can participate in.