While others are diving into a pool this summer, some kids and adults around Oxford will be diving into a good book for the Oxford Public Library Summer Reading Program, which kicked off on June 1.
The kids program, called Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales, is designed for children who have completed Kindergarten and are no older than 10.
For every hour a book is read, a prize can be chosen from the Treasure Chest, and readers will also be entered into a weekly drawing for other prizes.
The fun doesn’t stop there, though.
The library will also feature many different activities within the theme of Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales which any young reader can partcipate in, like a ‘Welcome to Camp Living Room? puppet show on June 28, designing an imaginary pet or learning about and seeing live reptiles on July 13.
For children who are not yet in Kindergarten, the library also offers a Preschool Read-to-Me program.
Teenagers entering sixth grade through twelfth will get to enjoy the Creature Feature theme for their program.
Add books like Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula? or Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein? to your gameboard for extra creepiness.
Learn about and see live bats on July 20, make wild sock puppets on July 13 and figure out ‘whodunit? at the library mystery event on July 25.
Check into the library once a week to get your gameboard stamped.
Everyone who completes Level 1 by July 31 is eligible for the grand prize drawing for a $100 savings bond from Oxford Bank.
Adults can also join in on the summer reading program by reading around town.
The adult gameboard is a map of Oxford and has different sites to ‘visit.’Each site has suggested books to read that relates to the surroundings. For instance, for the Oxford Lake site, readers can select books that are set at a lake, like ‘Lake News? by Barbara Delinsky, or ‘Crow Lake? by Mary Lawson.
The Polly Ann Trail site will feature stories relating to trails and trains, while the township offices will feature crime and detective novels.
Sarah Emino, coordinator for the adult reading program, said their adult program makes readers expand their genres. ‘We’ve found over the years that having lists gets them to read things they’re not ordinarily reading,? she said.
Adults will also be entered into a drawing to win a Read Around Town t-shirt, as well as the grand prize drawing for a $100 savings bond from Oxford Bank and $20 gift certificates to Starbucks, Sweet & Savory and Victoria’s Delights.
For more information on the programs or activities, call the library at (248) 969-3034.