Summer Reading Challenge combines reading, education and entertainment

The Library Center of the Ozarks Summer Reading Challenge will soon come to a close, but many area children, teens and adults have found a renewed interest in reading, and had fun along the way.

The library’s Summer Reading Challenge, with a theme of Unearth a Story, has offered a variety of activities, primarily geared towards children, each Monday of June and July. The Summer Reading Challenge encourages reading throughout the summer months and readers can work towards prizes, simply by reading and keeping a log of time spent doing so.

Children enjoyed a performance by the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra as part of the library’s Summer Reading Challenge. (Photo via Facebook)

“Unearth a Story has been outstanding,” said Lia Hitz, Children’s Services Supervisor at Library Center of the Ozarks. “Families from throughout the area are participating by logging their reading and participating in library events. The Library Center of the Ozarks welcomed a variety of entertaining and educational events such as Dinosaur Science with Mad Science of Greater KC. Dickerson Park Zoo brought Radical Reptiles. Other programs were Taneycomo Festival Orchestra’s classical music concert, magic tricks with Marty the Magician, and Celia had a singalong dance party. Every program encouraged learning and creativity.”

Summer reading wraps up at the end of July.

“As a last hooray for the Summer Reading Challenge, everyone is invited to our Fossil Impression program,” said Hitz. “During this come and go event, participants will make fossil impressions using Model Magic. It’s happening Monday, July 27, from 10 to 11:30 am.”

More than 550 children and teens participated in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, along with 240 adults.

“We’re thrilled with the level of participation and appreciate everyone who is making reading a part of their summer,” said Hitz.

Those who participated in the Summer Reading Challenge have until Saturday, August 8, to return their reading logs to the library, where they can pick out a free book and enter the special Prize Pack Raffle.”

Hitz and the staff of the Library Center of the Ozarks appreciate all who have helped make the Summer Reading Challenge such a success.

“We can’t have a Summer Reading Challenge without help from the many volunteers, sponsors and community partners. A big thank you to all of them,” said Hitz. “Even though Summer Reading is coming to an end, the fun continues all year long with monthly events and resources for every age. We want everyone to visit the library, check out what’s new and become lifelong learners.”

The Library Center of the Ozarks is located at 200 South 4th Street in downtown Branson. The library is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.