Wabash Valley Summer Reading Programs

Rachael | June 8, 2016 | Local Businesses, Places to Visit | No Comments

Have you heard of the “summer slide”? The phrase refers to the loss of academic skills when students are out of school for the summer.

In fact, research indicates that “every summer, low-income youth lose two to three months in reading while their higher-income peers make slight gains. Most youth lose about two months of math skills in the summer.”

One of the very best ways to keep kids on track is to keep kids reading! Read chapter books out loud, read before bed, read outside in the backyard, maybe even let your child sneak a flashlight under the blankets to finish that the last of their favorite page-turner. Just this once let them miss bedtime for good reason. It is summer, after all.

If you want to motivate your kids to keep thumbing through good books, then you need to join a summer reading program. Not only do local summer reading programs offer motivation to keep going to the library, they’re tons of fun! Our local libraries do a fabulous job planning FREE, summer events for the whole family! In case you’re not sure which one to join, we’ve put together this post with local options. Since we have readers from all over the Wabash Valley (and many of you are new to the area), I’ve included a bit of directional information, so you can figure out which option is closest/best for you.

Vigo County Public Library: Terre Haute

Since so many of our readers live, work, or play in Terre Haute, the Vigo County Public Library is the summer reading program you probably think of first. It’s a popular program for good reason! The Vigo County Public Library has hundreds of quality events planned for this summer, and we’ve included them in our Wabash Valley Summer Calendar. You can register for the program via the VCPL website.

The theme for the 2016 Summer Reading Program is “Exercise Your Mind.” They have planned activities that engage you physically and stimulate you mentally. Kids and adults can log their reading hours (or the hours they were read to) online and instantly be eligible for prizes! This year, there are a number of programs that are co-sponsored by local agencies, and it is always inspiring to see the positive impacts of collaborative work throughout the community. One of the most exciting programs is the USDA Summer Meals initiative at the west branch. Beginning on June 20, children under age 18 can come to the branch at 12:30 p.m. and receive a free sack lunch.

Brazil Public Library: 17 miles east of Terre Haute

The Brazil library has fun and free events planned for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoons. You can see the complete schedule HERE.

Marshall Illinois Public Library: 16 miles southwest of Terre Haute

Weekly programs will feature family friendly movies, programs, crafts, snacks, rewards, and more! Enjoy family Movies at the Library each Tuesday, June 9th—July 7th at 2:00pm, every Wednesday special programs, June 7th—July 6th at 2:00 pm and each Thursday “Craftivity”, June 9^th-July 7^th at 2:00 pm (ages 4 & up).

Participants will be invited to a Reward Party on Friday, July 15th at 10:30 am for those ages 13 under and who turned in at least one reading log.

Please register for all programming, seating is limited. You can register in the library, by calling (217) 826 – 2535) or by using the online registration forms.

Clinton Public Library: 15 miles north of Terre Haute

Visit the Clinton Public Library, register, and start reading for points! Top reader wins a bicycle or Kindle. Registration ends on June 11th. Activities begin June 14th.

Rockville Indiana Public Library: 26 miles northeast of Terre Haute

There are several Rockville events for kids and families listed in our summer calendar. But the Rockville Library is also featuring a teen reading program this year. If you will be in grades 6-8 this coming school year, your goal is to read three books from the Young Hoosier Book Award nominees and submit a simple book review online. If you will be in grades 9-12 this coming school year, your goal is to read three books from the Eliot Rosewater Award nominees and submit a simple book review online. The deadline for these goals is August 1, when a grand prize winner from each grade of the two categories will be announced.

Paris Illinois Public Library: 22 miles northwest of Terre Haute

During June and July, Paris Public Library will host a range of free activities for children from preschool through middle school to encourage and support the fun of reading. No registration is required.

Reading should be fun – without any pressure – so this year there’s no counting books, pages, or minutes. No keeping track of what you read. Just reading and enjoying some activities.

Vermillion County Public Library: 30 miles north of Terre Haute

The Vermillion County Library will have a 6 week summer reading program (May 31st-July 7th). Youth will learn about the science of basketball, sing and dance to goofy sports songs, hold and play with animals as you learn about their athleticism, and see a Guinness World Record holder do and learn his tips and tricks in a workshop about jumping rope!

Putnam County Public Library: 42 miles east of Terre Haute

The Putnam County Public Library Summer Reading Program will begin on May 3, and run throughout the months of June and July. At the end of July, they will hold the drawing for Grand Prizes.

Covington Public Library: 51 miles north of Terre Haute

Covington Public Library is celebrating the Indiana Bicentennial this year with a Legacy project for your Children & Teen Readers by having a Book Marathon. We will stopping around the state each week learning new facts and racing each age group to the next stop. Click here to find out more about the legacy program.
The children’s reading program’s theme is “Get Ready, Set, Read” and focuses on health, fitness, sports, and nature. There are many prizes and programs planned for all ages.

The Adult Summer Reading Theme is: “Life is a Grand Adventure.” The library is promoting different states in the country and different countries in the world that are featured in books. This gives a sense of adventure through reading. There are several gift cards from local businesses for patrons to win.

Find the full schedule of Covington Library summer events here.