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Nevada Public Library launches Summer Reading Program
Nevada Public Library recently announced that it was awarded a Summer Library Program Grant of $4,796 from the Missouri State Library for the 2023 Summer Reading Program. Together with partners, including Nevada R-5 Schools and the Bushwhacker Museum, Nevada Public Library will utilize the grant funding to provide reading logs, special events/performers, and crafts to encourage reading for all ages.
Nevada Public Library hosts an annual Summer Reading Program every summer to enhance and expand learning experiences and opportunities for underserved populations, especially school-aged children. The main objective of the program is to prevent the “summer slide,” where students lose critical reading skills while out of school during the summer.
This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
This year's theme “All Together Now” focuses on kindness, community involvement, and encourages reading through a 500-minute challenge working toward a common goal.
The program and events will run from June 1 through Aug. 1, 2023, with both in-person and online participation options. Registration is open now and can be done in-person at the library or online at nplmo.beanstack.org. We hope that our community will show up in big numbers for our programs this summer as attendance and participation is key for continued grant funding!"
The library offers complimentary membership for all participants, city and county, throughout the summer months. Polk adds, "Our Library Board generously offers free memberships to all families during the summer months so that children may have access to books while their school libraries are closed. It is a fantastic way for our rural families to 'try-out' a membership at NPL to see if they would like to upgrade to a Full-Access Card in the fall."
Library Director Jodi Polk stated, "We have lots of fun events to get families out of the house and into the library this summer. Our special events for elementary-age kids will be held every Wednesday at 3 p.m. We will kick-off the program on Wednesday, June 7, with a magic show featuring 'Marty the Reading Magician' from Ozark, Mo. We also plan to hold free movie matinees and craft days in our Makerspace. We are excited to announce that the Bushwhacker Museum will host two fun events for our readers too. Finally, we will hold a 'Wrap-Up Party' on Wednesday, July 26, with Mad Science of Kansas City as they demonstrate how chemicals work together to create amazing reactions."
Other events are planned for teens in middle school and high school. The library will hold Dungeons and Dragon club, host free movie matinees, a game challenge and craft activities too. Teen events are planned for Thursdays at 2:30 p.m.
In addition, The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Nevada Public Library a $3,000 grant to support summer literacy. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s largest, one-day literacy donation of more than $13 million throughout the 47 states in which Dollar General operates to support adult, family and summer literacy programs.
According to Polk, their award will support the summer reading program and will be used to purchase a collection of books, audiobooks and other resources to help readers of all ages who are dealing with learning differences, such as dyslexia or autism. Polk said, “We always have a lot of activities and events planned for our summer readers, and this year is no different. We have a very full calendar of fun ways to share our love of books and reading, but we also wanted to add something new to our typical summer program, so we set our sights on adding a new collection that would help build reading skills for people of all ages who may need a little help. This is NPL’s first time applying for a DG Literacy Foundation grant and we are thrilled with what this very generous award will do for our community and local library collection!”
The Library will purchase a large collection of books and audiobooks, some specifically printed in dyslexia font, for readers who experience dyslexia or other disabilities that may decrease reading fluency. This 'dyslexia-friendly' collection (DFX) will be used to reach children, teens, and adults who may not usually read for fun. We also hope to eliminate any stigma that may occur when an adult is working hard at reading, but struggling to find age-appropriate stories. $2,500 of the grant award will be used for materials and other literacy-building resources.
“It is a joy to celebrate this historic grant announcement during our 30th anniversary year,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “For three decades, DGLF’s investment in community programs has created meaningful access to literacy skills for adults, children and families alike and exemplified Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity and access to a quality education, and we look forward to seeing these literacy grants inspire reading and build brighter futures.”
The library also has special events planned for little ones with Toddler Time and Preschool Storytime events on select days in June, July, and August.