Numerous studies show that children who don’t read during the summer months often have a decline in their reading skills by the time school starts in the fall. This is known as the “summer slide”. The best way to keep those skills sharp and to reduce the “summer slide” is practice, practice, practice.
So to help you practice, Sarasota County Libraries and the Tampa Bay Rays are encouraging children to participate in “Reading with the Rays”. As you read this summer keep track of your hours on the special scorecard and once you round the bases, bring it back to the library to collect your reading rewards. Children, who reach home plate by reading a total of 24 hours, will receive a ticket voucher good for two free tickets to a Rays home game this summer.
If baseball isn’t your thing, another fun way to practice your reading skills is to participate in the summer reading program at Elsie Quirk Library. Log your reading time to help us reach our community goal of 20,000 minutes read this summer. Our theme is “A Universe of Stories” and we have a galaxy full of programs, activities and events lined up for the whole family.
Visit the library today to pick up your “Reading with the Rays” scorecard and sign up for “A Universe of Stories” summer reading program. Then check out your favorite books and start reading to say good-bye to the “summer slide” forever! Besides, slides are much more fun at playgrounds and water parks!
Here’s what’s happening at the library this week:
Saturday
- Suncoast Writers Guild meets at 10 a.m.
- LEGO Club 1:30 p.m. Children ages 5 to 12 will have fun getting together with others and sharing ideas, working together, and making new friends. LEGO bricks will be provided – bring your imagination. LEGO creations will be on display in the library until the next meeting date.
- Englewood Indivisible meets at 2:30 p.m.
Monday
- Forty Carrots Partners in Play 10:15 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m. For children, up to age 5 with a parent or caregiver. A free class for you and your child to enjoy together. Experience new educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
- Summer Breakspot Lunch 12 – 12:45 p.m. For any child 18 and under.
- Monday Night Movies at 5 p.m. In tonight’s film the love life of Charlotte is reduced to an endless string of disastrous blind dates, until she meets the perfect man, Kevin. Unfortunately, his merciless mother will do anything to destroy their relationship. (PG-13, 101 mins.) Contact the library for movie titles.
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Stop in to get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscape questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. For more information, call 941-861-9807 or online at sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/plantclinic.shtml.
- Tech Time: One on One Help with a Librarian at 10 a.m. A Reference Librarian will be available for help with e-books, computer basics, or questions about your electronic devices. Reserve a 30-minute session today by calling 941-861-1207 or by signing up at the Reference Desk.
- Summer Breakspot Lunch 12 – 12:45 p.m. For any child 18 and under.
Wednesday
- Summer Breakspot Lunch 12 – 12:45 p.m. For any child 18 and under.
- Space Camp at 1:30 p.m. For children 5-12. Explore the world of outer space with hands-on activities.
- Friends of Stump Pass – Board Meeting at 3 p.m.
Thursday
- Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. For ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy and school readiness activities that feature stories, music and movement, and crafts. Today’ theme: “Summer Sun”
- Summer Breakspot Lunch 12 – 12:45 p.m. For any child 18 and under.
- Quirky Knitters meet at 1 p.m. to knit and chat.
Friday
- Summer Breakspot Lunch 12 – 12:45 p.m. For any child 18 and under.
- Galaxy Pendants Craft for Teens at 2 p.m. Make a beautiful galaxy pendant to wear. Registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
For more information on library programs, services, and resources visit us at 100 West Dearborn Street, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit our website at scgov.net.
