It’s summer time and that means NO SCHOOL! But that doesn’t mean your kids need to stop learning and absorbing new information into their spongy brains.
To promote reading over the summer break, both the SF Public Library branches in the neighborhood and the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park are offering reading programs.
The premise is simple – the more kids read, the more they earn in prizes and rewards.
SFPL’s Summer Read SF 2013
The Summer Read SF 2013 program at the Richmond or Anza branch libraries offers programs for both kids (birth-12) and teens (13-18). Participants can sign up on the SFPL website and track how much time they spend reading, being read to, and listening to stories in the online log between now and August 11.
When they reach their goal – 10 hours for kids, 30 hours for teens – they get their choice of a Summer Reading Prize, which consists of either a a book or a pair of museum passes. Plus they are entered into a raffle for a one-year Family membership for the California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, the De Young Museum, or the Zoo. Additionally, they are eligible for a chance to win a $500 gift card for Chronicle Books.
For teens who read 30 hours AND submit 5 book reviews, Supervisor Mark Ferrell has upped the ante by also offering a chance to win a $5000 scholarship.
Visit the SFPL website to sign up for Summer Read SF 2013. It’s free to participate. Oh and there is an adult division too – those age 19 and up need to log 40 hours to earn their prize.
The Summer Reading Club at the Botanical Garden
Across the way at the Botanical Garden’s Helen Crocker Russell Library in Golden Gate Park, a new, free summer reading club is underway. The free, drop-in program is for kids up to age 14 and includes a log book, weekly nature-based reading themes, and weekly self-guided activities throughout the garden.
Each week children will be introduced to new nature-related reading themes and garden activities, plant seeds in the Children’s Garden as they reach weekly reading goals, and receive a special prize for completing the entire eight week program (prize is not identified on their website).
Children can read any books they wish and are not limited to reading lists or themes; any book read during the Summer Reading Club can be counted towards their reading accomplishments. SFBG Members are welcome to check-out children’s books from the Library to take home to read.
The Summer Reading Club runs until July 28. To participate, stop by the Helen Crocker Russell Library at the Botanical Garden between 10am and 4pm, Wednesday through Mondays (closed Tuesdays).
Happy reading!
Sarah B.