School's out. It’s officially summer in Nevada, which means it’s ... time to hit the books?!
Sort of. In an effort to keep kids — and adults — reading through the season known for vacations and playtime, libraries typically launch reading challenge programs to boost literacy.
And over the years, those efforts have become more creative. Washoe County Library System has curated reading challenge lists to reflect its theme of dinosaurs, archaeology, and paleontology. Meanwhile, the North Las Vegas Library District is kicking off its reading challenge with live science shows. Henderson Libraries also offers a summer challenge.
Las Vegas Clark County Library District has a few tricks up its sleeve, as well. Its popular summer reading program rewards both kids and adults with free books and prizes. Besides drawing people to the library, it addresses the so-called "summer slide" during the mid-year academic break and encourages reading in a state with the 5th lowest literacy rate in the country. LVCCLD also programs complementary events throughout its 25 branches.
"We feel a sense that we need to promote community, and without promoting community and having folks enjoy the space [and] enjoy the reading, we can't improve literacy reading for children," Claudia Melton, branch manager for the West Charleston Library, told KNPR's State of Nevada. "Our goal is to make it fun, and if it's not fun, of course, they're not going to want to do it. So we make sure that we have fun storytimes, STEAM programming, and arts and cultural events that incentivize it, and let people know [they're] not reading alone."
Las Vegas Clark County Library District programs its reading challenge — which began May 15 and ends July 15 — to be eventful in and of itself. After registering online or in person, readers get a reading log. Kids immediately get a free book, and adults receive a coupon redeemable at the library district bookstores. As readers log their book time, aiming for the minimum 20 hours, they collect rewards that go towards prizes.
From there, the library works to make sure there's a dynamic selection of titles available — physically, digitally, and via audio — to cater to all tastes and purposes. Remember those summer-reading assignments with Mark Twain and William Shakespeare? The library's got students covered there, as well as anyone else who knows there are few pleasures greater than sitting by the pool — or in front of a fan — lost in a good book.
"Yesterday we talked to a student in the library, and we asked her what she was excited to read this summer," Melton said. "She said, 'I'm finishing Jane Eyre, and then I'm moving on to Jane Austen.' She's not reading specifically for school; it's because she wants to. But we also have books for kids who want to read the graphic novels, who want to read a fun adventure, who want to travel to a new place. Our goal is to have a very diverse collection that meets the needs of students where they are."
And speaking of meeting people where they are: One local author is using his books — and his barbershop — to promote reading year-round.
James “Spoaty” Allen isn’t only the owner of Heat City Fades Barbershop — located in Las Vegas’ Charleston Heights neighborhood — he’s also a children’s book illustrator and author.
His books, featuring Cooley the Ant helping kids navigate real life scenarios such as bullying and peer pressure, are available to read and purchase at the barbershop.
He said he hopes his work promoting literacy is able to make a positive difference in young Nevadans’ habits.
“I see so many kids that struggle, that are up in age and they still don't know how to read. So it just inspired me to try and do something that's going to help these kids learn how to read and pick up a book rather than a cell phone all day.”
Guest: Claudia Melton branch manager, West Charleston Library
