Summer Reading Blues

For as long as I can remember the library has bridged the gap between school years with a summer reading program for children of all ages.  Nearly every patron who takes part in the summer reading program does what is expected; frequents the library, reads books and even enjoys the program.  Each year the programs are very successful with a great number of participants.  There are, of course, a few exceptions.

The most common is the 10 year old who reads a dozen board books and sees nothing wrong with counting that as age appropriate books.  I guess maybe they haven't yet learned their colors and numbers, who am I to judge.

Each year we have the parent who will check out over 100 books every other day and insist that their child has read every single one.  "My kids don't want to go outside"  "My kids just LOVE to read"  "We read ALL the time".

For the past several years, the library has also had story and craft hours for children ages 6 to 10.  These have always be popular, VERY popular.  Thirty kids can sign up one week prior to the event, and it is usually filled up within the first hour the library is open.  The phone starts ringing 15 minutes before we open, and parents are standing outside the door waiting to sign up.  The thing is, inevitably there are about 5 kids that cancel or don't show up for the event.

A few years ago we started an Adult summer reading program.  We decided have entry forms that patrons could list 5 books they have read and then have biweekly drawings for prizes.  That way there is no need to keep track of the total number of books read by each patron.  Adult summer reading has become as successful and well received as the children's counterpart.  And just like the children's summer reading we have a few exceptions.

For instance, we have a patron who checks out, on average, 15 books (3 entry forms) a day.  Last year I made some comment to the patron along the lines of "you must really love to read".  She proceeded to tell me that she keeps track of the books she reads throughout the year and then rechecks them out during the summer reading program so she can better her chances of winning.

Another patron once asked if watching movies could be counted for the summer reading program. "Must Love Dogs is a book, I just have had a chance to read it yet."

It never ceases to amaze me how a competition can turn a seemingly normal person into a raving lunatic. Yes the library does have some pretty cool prizes, but they aren't THAT great.  In any case, please stop by your local library and join their summer reading programs.  Just don't become one of the crazies.

P.S.  Thanks Cory for nagging me to do another blog post.