Ain't No Party Like A Summer Reading Party Because A Summer Reading Party Don't Stop

In 11 days, more than 600 children and about 250 teens and adults have already signed up for the summer reading programs at Mentor Public Library.

But we want more. We want to get as many people as possible excited about reading. So we're throwing a soirée.

The kickoff party for our summer reading programs will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, June 14, in the backyard of the Read House, which is next door to the library’s main branch at 8215 Mentor Ave.

Everyone's invited to sing karaoke, take snapshots in the photo booth, play Wii and check out previews for upcoming kids’, teens’ and adults’ programs.

Many of the activities at the party serve as a preview for library programs that are happening later this summer. For example, people can make an origami craft at the party in anticipation of a special presentation by the Ohio Paper Folders on July 8.

We'll have the Wii out as an appetizer for our Wii Wednesdays, which will give teens a chance to relax and play video games at the library. (There's nothing wrong with taking a break from summer reading.)

Even the karaoke serves as a preview for the many concerts the Mentor Public Library’s Main and Mentor-on-the-Lake branches will host this summer. (For a sample of our concert series, watch this video of the Sunset Country Band performing at the main branch earlier this month.)

And -- of course -- children, teens and adults can all sign up for our summer reading programs during the party, as well.

Kids who are entering the sixth grade or lower can register for the children’s Dig Into Reading program.

For every hour children read or are read to, they will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of the library’s awesome grand prizes. Plus for every five hours read, up to 15 hours, children will receive a prize. After completing five hours of reading, children will earn a free Lake County Captains baseball game ticket. Fifteen-hour readers will receive a “Library Champion Lives Here” yard sign (one sign per family.)

If a child reads 20 hours, they get a golden ticket for a chance to win a $100 Toys “R” Us gift card. Champion readers will also have the opportunity to have their picture posted on the library website.

Likewise, teens and adults can sign up for the our Beneath the Surface summer reading program.

For every book they read or library program they attend, adults and teens will receive one raffle ticket for a chance to win one of the library’s grand prizes – a Nook e-reader – or to redeem at the Mystery Box, which is filled with gift cards and coupons from local restaurants and other businesses.

(By the way, I need to pause here and thank all of our wonderful sponsors. We sincerely could not do this without you.)

Children, teens and adults can still sign up for summer reading programs at any of the Mentor Public Library’s branches up through and until, Saturday, Aug. 10. Grand prize winners will be posted at the library’s End of Summer Carnival at the Read House on Thursday, Aug. 15.

For more information on programs and events this summer at the Mentor Public Library, call (440) 255-8811 ext. 247 or visit www.mentorpl.org.

See you at the party!