The Keizer Community Library wants to keep kids reading over the summer break. 

The library launched this year’s Summer Reading Program on Monday, June 8, with the theme “Plant a Seed, Read.” 

Through the program, preschoolers and elementary students are encouraged to read for 15 minutes a day, and middle and high schoolers for 30 minutes. Each day the goal is achieved, students add a sticker to their reading log. 

Every five days, kids achieving their goals can select a trinket from a chest with items ranging from bouncy balls to Slinkys. After earning 25 stickers, participants are entered into a raffle for a gift card to a business of their choice, such as local Lego stores, Escape Fiction in Salem or a movie theater. 

After 50 stickers, they get a completion certificate, a free book and another raffle entry. Kiara Ramsay, chair of the children’s programming committee, estimates the gift card will be $100.

Anyone over 8 can register for the free program. Participants will be provided a packet containing the reading log, stickers and other items. Materials will be available in both English and Spanish. 

People can register throughout the summer, until the program ends on Saturday, Aug. 29. 

The program also involves a Beyond Books event series each Wednesday at 11 a.m., including events on reptile facts, a bee exhibit from the University of Oregon Museum of Natural History and others. 

The first event, the annual Book Bingo, is on June 17. This event allows kids to win free books, and Ramsay said participants typically take home multiple books. 

“My hope is that kids not only love to read, but they really find a sense of belonging at the library,” Ramsay said. 

Last year, Ramsay said about 250 people registered for the event and 80 completed the program.

NEWS TIP? Contact reporter Krista Kroiss at [email protected].

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