Turn the page: Summer reading programs encourage New Mexicans of all ages to pick up a book

“Adventure Begins at Your Library” is the slogan for this summer’s reading program of the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County branch libraries.

The program begins Saturday, June 1, and runs through July 27. (The Westgate and Alameda branches start up on June 3.) But you can sign up online now at abqlibrary.org/summerreading.

“It focuses on children, but it’s also for readers of all ages to continue their reading habits throughout the summer,” said Deborah Hassi, the senior youth librarian for the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County public library system.

Turn the page: Summer reading programs encourage New Mexicans of all ages to pick up a book

“We encourage adults to read so they can serve as an example of the joy they can get out of reading for pleasure. If children see adults enjoy reading, they, too, can do it for the enjoyment of it.”

The brain, Hassi noted, is like any other muscle: If you don’t use it, you lose it.

The program tracks readers’ progress. Readers set their own reading goals and read whatever they want and at their own pace. Prizes are offered for books read.

The program also promotes public interaction with the library, shows support for the library system and the work it does in the community, she said.

“We encourage people to maintain that relationship that they have with the library all during the year,” Hassi said.

The program goes well beyond reading, presenting such activities as free concerts, movies, craft and science events.

One performer, magician John Polinko, encourages youngsters to pick up a book and read, Hassi said.

The summer program offers almost 350 events over eight weeks.

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These are other free summer reading programs in the Albuquerque area:

• Rio Rancho Public Library’s program runs from Monday, June 3, through July 27 at the Loma Colorado Main Library, Esther Bone Memorial Library and The HUB at Enchanted Hills. Participants may sign up now, and are welcome to read books, magazines, graphic novels, ebooks and or/listen to audiobooks, said Jaley Turpen, a communications specialist for the town of Rio Rancho.

The participants receive prizes for reading a minimum number of minutes each week. The program, according to the city’s website, keeps the brain sharp, is an opportunity to be part of the community, to see live cultural, educational and entertaining performances, and allow participants to development friendships and creativity.

• Corrales Community Library, 84 West La Estrada Road, Corrales. The library offers different events weekdays from Monday, June 3, through July 23.

2 p.m. Mondays: kids/teen craft.

6 p.m. Tuesdays: performances and storytellers.

10 a.m. Wednesdays: storytime for babies and toddlers to first

graders.

1 p.m. Thursdays: family movie day.

2 p.m. Fridays: teen craft.

• Martha Liebert Public Library, 124 Calle Malinche, Bernalillo. The summer reading program runs from June 15 through the end of July, and is aimed at children and young adults. For more information on the program, visit bernalillolibrary.org.
• Placitas Community Library, 453 New Mexico 165, Placitas.

The library’s children’s committee invites “only you” to its Summer Reading Challenge Program now through July 27. The program is promoting 4 Rs: read books or have books read to you; record the book titles in your log; remember to bring the logs to each event; and receive a raffle ticket.

The idea of the program is to read as many books as possible through July 27, and to help children stay on their reading grade level or raise it to a higher level.

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In addition, there’s a series of tuition-required Summer Reading Skills Programs offered on the University of New Mexico campus. The classes begin Saturday, June 1. Grade levels range from kindergarten to entering 10th graders.

Classes are offered in-person or online. For more information and to register, call 800-499-8557.