Carson City firefighters talk with local kids at a special Carson City Library Storytime on Thursday, July 24, 2014. This year's Summer Reading Program theme is Community Heroes featuring local agencies like Carson City Fire, Sheriff's Department and the Nevada National Guard.
Carson City Library’s Summer Reading Program will kick off with the Breakfast for Books at 8:10 a.m. Saturday.
“It’s important kids keep reading in the summer so they start off strong in the fall,” said Heather Butler, youth services librarian. “This bridges the gap at the end of the school year.”
This year’s program Every Hero has a Story will be hosted online, with participants signing up and tracking hours read at the carsoncitylibrary.com website.
Each participant will be assigned an avatar. As that avatar progresses with minutes read and logged, prizes are unlocked for literary games, author videos and other rewards.
Those who complete the program will earn a free book or a 3-D printout.
“They don’t have to hit that mark, but if they do, they get something for it,” Butler said.
In honor of the theme, Every Hero has a Story, the Carson City Fire Department will sponsor the pancake breakfast, which will cost $3 per person.
While the reading program has focused on youth in the past, this year it will be open to adults as well. Age categories begin at ages 0-4 for listening; kindergarten-fifth grade kids; sixth-12th grade teens and 13 and above as adults.
“When parents are reading with their children, it gives them the opportunity to connect,” said Sena Loyd, library director. “It also provides a recreation experience for adults. Prizes for adults include tickets for the V&T train and to the Nevada State Museum.”
In following the theme, there will be events throughout the summer featuring firefighters, law-enforcement officials and members of the Nevada National Guard.
“They will come in and talk about what they do,” Butler said. “It’s for all ages. The kids will realize the importance and value of having these heroes in our community. For some of the teens, they may be interested in a career and can find out more about it.”
Participants can sign up online and begin logging reading hours Saturday. A calendar of events is also available online.
