By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Summer is just around the corner, and so is the North Shelby Library’s summer reading program kick off party. On May 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the library will hold its annual party to welcome the summer reading season.

The party is free and open to those of all ages. It will include all kinds of fun activities, from face painting and a bounce castle to go fish and a superhero-themed photo booth. There will also be snacks and slushies.

“It is one of our biggest events of the year,” North Shelby Library Children’s Librarian Cecelia Dean said.

The party marks the beginning of the library’s children’s summer reading program. The eight-week program provides fun incentives to encourage kids to read throughout the summer.

“First and most important is the reading part,” Dean said, noting the summer reading program helps keep kids engaged all summer. “We’re trying to prevent the summer slide. When they go back to school, they’ll be ready to start learning.”

Children are encouraged to read any type of book they would like. For every one hour of reading a chapter book or for every five picture books or easy readers, kids receive one library dollar, which they can save up and exchange for prizes, Dean explained.

Summer reading program participants are also entered into a raffle for one of two grand prizes, a bicycle or a Kindle Fire, and can win weekly prizes.

“(They read) comic books, magazines, some kids even read the Bible,” Dean said. “We just want them to be reading.”

The library also hosts a variety of events as part of the summer reading program. Every week, there is a movie, a craft, four story times and an outside performer.

“Everyone else is slowing down for the summer, and we’re just gearing up,” Dean said.

A summer reading program registration table will be set up at the May 30 kick off party. For more information about the program and upcoming events, visit Northshelbylibrary.org.