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\u00a0to finish that the last of their favorite page-turner. Just this once let them miss bedtime for good reason. It is<\/em> summer, after all.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0offer motivation to keep going to the library, they’re tons of fun! Our local libraries do a fabulous job planning FREE,\u00a0summer 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\u00a0which option\u00a0is\u00a0closest\/best for you.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. You can register for the program via the VCPL website.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0number 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.\u00a0One of the most exciting programs is the\u00a0USDA Summer Meals initiative at the\u00a0west 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.<\/p>\n The Brazil\u00a0library has fun and free events planned for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoons. You can see the complete schedule HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Weekly programs will feature family friendly movies, programs, crafts, snacks, rewards, and more!\u00a0 Enjoy family Movies at the Library each Tuesday, June 9th\u2014July 7th at 2:00pm, every\u00a0Wednesday special programs, June 7th\u2014July 6th at 2:00 pm and each Thursday \u201cCraftivity\u201d, June 9th<\/sup>-July 7th<\/sup> at 2:00 pm (ages 4 & up).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Visit the Clinton Public Library<\/a>, register, and start reading for points! Top reader wins a bicycle or Kindle. Registration ends on June 11th. Activities begin June 14th.<\/p>\n There are several Rockville events for kids and families listed in our summer calendar. But the Rockville Library <\/a>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.<\/p>\n During June and July, Paris Public Library<\/a> will host a range of free activities for children from preschool through middle school to encourage and support the fun of reading.\u00a0 No registration is required.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Vermillion County Library\u00a0will have a 6 week summer reading program (May 31st-July 7th).\u00a0Youth 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\u00a0jumping rope!<\/p>\n The Putnam County Public Library<\/a>\u00a0Summer Reading Program will begin on May 3, and run throughout the months of June and July. At the end of July, they\u00a0will hold the drawing for Grand Prizes.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. The\u00a0Adult 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\u00a0several gift cards from local businesses for patrons to win.<\/p>\n Find the full schedule of Covington Library summer events here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Wabash](\"http:\/\/nateandrachael.com\/terrehaute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2016\/06\/Summer-Reading-Programs.jpg\")
<\/p>\nVigo County Public Library: Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Brazil Public Library:\u00a017\u00a0miles\u00a0east of\u00a0Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Marshall Illinois Public Library: 16 miles southwest of Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Clinton Public Library: 15 miles north of Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Rockville Indiana Public Library: 26 miles northeast of Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Paris Illinois Public Library: 22 miles northwest of Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Vermillion County Public Library:\u00a030 miles north of Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Putnam County Public Library: 42 miles east of Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
Covington Public Library: 51 miles north of Terre Haute<\/h3>\n
\nThe children’s reading program’s theme is “Get Ready, Set, Read” and focuses\u00a0on health, fitness, sports, and nature. There are\u00a0many prizes and programs planned for all ages.<\/p>\nWant more summer fun? Don’t forget to check our SUMMER CALENDAR<\/a>! We’ll update it throughout the season!<\/h3>\n
![\"Summer](\"http:\/\/nateandrachael.com\/terrehaute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2016\/05\/2016-summer-calendar.jpg\")
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