With Nintendo Switch in hand, patrons of all ages visited Rodman Public Library on Tuesday to take part in its “Animal Crossing; New Horizons” summer kickoff event
While playing the popular video game, attendees visited other virtual islands, including a library-themed island hosted by the Rodman Public Library staff.
Visitors also had the opportunity to create several “Animal Crossing” themed crafts, including a Shrinky Dink keychain or necklace, a DIY bottle that could be made into a keychain or necklace, paper Gyroid character, and a bell bag.
However, the most important aspect of the “Animal Crossing” event was that it officially kicked off Rodman Library’s Summer Reading Program, which runs through July 31.
“We are excited about this year's Summer Reading Program, Tails and Tales,” said Rodman Public Library Director Eric Taggart. “While we obviously encourage everyone to read and sign up for the Summer Reading Program, we really hope that parents will register their children. The ‘summer slide’ is very real, as a recent study of children shows that children lose, on average, about 20 percent of their school-year gains in reading. Signing up for the Summer Reading Program, which helps encourage children to read with goals and incentives, is a great way to help children maintain -- or even grow -- their reading skills over the summer.”
There are Summer Reading Programs for children, adults and teens. Registration can be made by signing up at the Main Library, the Branch Library or on the Bookmobile for all age levels or online at rodmanlibrary.beanstack.org or by downloading the Beanstack app.
Children who read for six hours will earn a certificate, free book, bonus prizes, and an entry ticket into the grand prize drawings. Reading an additional five hours will earn more entry tickets into the grand prize drawings. Completing all nine activity challenges will earn another entry ticket into the grand prize drawings.
Teens, ages 12-18, who complete 20 hours of reading will receive a paperback book and another prize and will be entered into the grand prize drawing. Additional entries into the grand prize drawing can be earned by reading an additional 10 hours, reading three hours per week, and completing challenge activities. Grand prizes include $100 gift cards for Amazon, GameStop, and Walmart.
The adult program is open to ages 18 and older. For those participating using the paper form, any checkout transaction of library materials qualifies for one ticket to be entered into a weekly drawing for a gift bag filled with a variety of goodies, including an Amazon gift card. Patrons may have multiple checkouts per day. For those participating online, each book read qualifies for one ticket to be entered into a weekly drawing for a digital Amazon gift card. Additional entries will be given for each additional book read in each week. All who participate in the program will be entered into the grand prize drawings.
For more information, call the library at 330-821-2665, ext. 107, or check out our website at www.rodmanlibrary.com.