By Mark Bialczak

LPL Communications Specialist

Get ready for a big summer of reading at the Liverpool Public Library.

Children who sign up for the LPL’s Summer Reading Program can look forward to an exciting new reward if they reach their goal.

Kids can set their own goal for minutes read, with 400 as the minimum.

That would work out to less than an hour a week for the seven-week program, so that’s why our librarians picked that figure as a starting point.

In reality, they think most children will be able to achieve more than that.

The program kicks off with a party that begins at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 25, in the Carman Community Room. Librarians will be on hand to help everybody register and navigate the goal-setting process.

Here’s what’s at stake.

Any child who meets their goal by Saturday, Aug. 11, will be able to be the first person to borrow the book that will forever have their name in it. When that book is returned, it will go on a new-book shelf where other kids can take it out and notice the nameplate. All children who make their 2018 Summer Reading Program goal will forever be part of LPL book history.

There will also be raffle tickets rewarded for every 20 minutes of reading achieved. At the Grand Finale Party at 2 p.m. Aug. 21, seven prize baskets will be awarded. You don’t even have to be present to win.

There also will be kickoff parties at 11 a.m. Monday, June 25, for the Adult and Teen Summer Reading Programs as well, with registration in the LPL lobby and online at LPL.org. The first 150 people to register at the library will receive a free book or coupon for a free book. Guidelines will be available for those clubs at the library and at LPL.org.

The third annual Director’s Summer Challenge begins Monday, June 25 as well. Brochures with the weekly guidelines to meet Director Glenna Wisniewski’s health and wellness tasks to win prizes will be available at the Adult Reference Desk.