By Joyce Waybright
Special to GUIDON

Kids, teens, and adults, you still have time to join the “Reading is So Delicious” Summer Program at the Bruce C. Clarke Library. Online registration runs until Aug. 18 and the online program runs until Aug. 25.

If you have already signed up, have you won your t-shirt yet? Children only need to have 300 minutes logged in — that’s just 20 minutes a day, five days a week. Teens and adult only have to read and log in three books to win a t-shirt. If you prefer audio books or DVDs, you can also use them towards the goals. You also can count any type of reading material, for instance a whole magazine or even Army regulations.  

Not signed up yet — we are the library, so we know you, our patrons read, listen and watch thousands of books and DVDs, so why not join the program so you can win prizes?    While we have established minimum goals, we hope everyone reports all their reading or listening on a regular basis—because it’s fun and to be eligible for more prize drawings. We will be running random drawings at least weekly, so the more often you report to your online summer reading log, the more chances you will have to win. The prizes include puzzles, chopsticks, finger puppets, stuffed animals, insulated cups, lunch boxes, insulated picnic bags, and of course books.  

Our ultimate prizes are bikes for children, teens and adults. That random drawing will take place after the program closes so everyone who has reported minutes or books to their logs will have a chance to win. All winners must be registered Bruce C. Clarke library patrons, either as an individual or the child/family member of an authorized sponsor. Library registration requires a military, military family member or civilian employee ID card and must be done in person at the library by the sponsor or spouse.

This year’s online program, provided by the DoD FMWR library programs includes the opportunity to rate and write reviews about what you have read and share them with others in the program. When you log into your account you can also create a personal reading list if you like the recommendations of others in the program.

This year’s summer reading registration and reporting will be totally done online so you can do it anywhere, anytime- from home, from a phone, on a library computer, while on vacation or even in the middle of the night – parents permitting.  

We already have 340 signed up. The children have already reported over 32,000 minutes of reading and the teens and adults have reported 525 books. More than 1,700 reviews/ratings have been submitted, but we want more.  

The link for the Summer Reading Programs will be on the Bruce C.  Clarke Library website www.wood.army.mil/ For more information call:   573-563-4113/5857

There’s also a serious side to summer reading. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss. It is recommended that to retain reading skills for elementary students they should read at least 20 minutes a day. Studies also indicate students who read recreationally out-performed those who don’t. Students read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests. The Clarke Library is committed to supporting lifelong learning and educational enrichment for all our Families.

(Editor’s note: Waybright is the chief of community services at the library.)