The Youth Summer Reading Program at the Jefferson Public Library is underway.

Youth Services Librarian Bailey Mount reminds everyone that this year’s theme is “Level Up at Your Library” and they are focusing on the different ways the public utilizes the library, especially in a digital world. She says each age group also has its own sub-theme starting with the newborns to pre-kindergarteners with “Byte-Size Story Times” every Monday from 10-11am. Mount points out that there are no-pressure, come and go programs. She notes that there will be three opportunities with Story Times taking place outside of the library and it will also include a couple of bilingual programs with Multicultural Family Resource Center Director Sara Huddleston.

“So we had our first one, officially, for our National Space Day program at the start of May and it went very, very well. Not just for our English second language families, but for our families who are trying to learn a bit more Spanish to communicate with their new neighbors more, which I think is so great! Our first Story Time for our ‘Byte-Sized Story Time’ kiddos when they start on June 16th will be bilingual and its number, which is super, super easy and super fun.”    

Mount says the kindergarten through 4th grade Summer Reading Program is “Campaign Mode” that is held on Wednesdays from 2-3pm. She explains that there are lots of great activities including a “Choose Your Own Adventure Live Action” program in a park, a “Pokemon Go” inspired walk, and an interactive movie night featuring the new “Super Mario Brothers” movie as she describes what will happen during the film.

“If you know parts of the movie, you can quote it, you say things, you can talk during it, and then I let them know that if a certain King Koopa comes on singing about how much he loves Princess Peach, we can sing-a-long to the song.”  

Mount adds that the final group are the 5th-8th graders combining with the high school-age youth for the “Speed Runners.” She says they meet every Thursday from 2-3pm and some of their activities include Dungeons and Dragons sessions, book clubs, a cosplay class and an after hours movie night.

Each of the Youth Summer Reading Programs are going on now through the beginning of August and registration ends this Sunday. Click here to sign up.