Teton County Library’s Summer Reading Program got off to a veritable explosion this week. Over 200 elementary school kids signed up during the kick-off Monday. Their challenge? To spend up to 24 hours reading books this summer. Their reward? Art supplies, sidewalk chalk, and other creativity-inspiring items that echo this year’s reading program theme: “Imagine, Create, Participate.”
“The goal is to get the kids to maintain or improve their reading level for the next school year,” said Youth Program Coordinator Debbie Schlinger. Clad in an artist’s beret, Schlinger explained the various components of the program that support this summer’s theme. Kids log their hours of reading in half-hour increments on specially designed images – an artist’s palette, a guitar, a star. Once a log is all filled in, the student is welcome to decorate it and post it in the Library’s kids’ room.
It’s not too late to join in – children pre-school through 5th grade can register any time. What is time-sensitive, however, is the accompanying Crafts and Activities program. Sign-up starts today at 10 AM. Projects like “Ultimate Umbrellas” and  “Craft-o-rama” will tap kids’ imaginations. Schlinger encourages parents to take a look at what’s being offered and make sure it fits with their schedules before signing up their kids. “We have several back-to-back sessions,” Schlinger said. Last year’s crafts activities filled up so fast the Library could not accommodate everyone.
The fun doesn’t stop there! Several special events spice up the summer, including a puppet show, a dance/drum workshop, and a talent show.
And lest older kids start feeling left out, never fear. The Library is also hosting a Teen Summer Reading program. Like their younger counterparts, valley teens will log their book-reading hours throughout the summer – all online. The Web 2.0-savvy Teen Program Coordinator, Allie Gillen, designed the reading program to take place completely online, including areas where teens can post their own book reviews and discuss books. For each hour a teen reads, she or he earns a raffle ticket for a summer-long give-away of some super-cool gifts. iPod Nano, anyone? Seventy-five dollar Visa gift card? Hello!
Teens can also take a break from the virtual world for a little material-world creativity. Special events for teens include an improv comedy workshop, a claymation workshop, and a tutorial on how to build an electric car.
Honestly, there is so much going on at the library this summer, this little article just skims the surface. For more details on how to register for the reading programs, what crafts are being taught, and a preview of the end-of-summer Detroit garage band party, visit the library Web site.

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