Summer Reading Club begins at the St. Joe County Public Library 

June 1, 2023 | By: Marissa Gebhard

The St. Joe County Public Library invites everyone to participate in the Summer Reading Club from now through July 31. Children, teens and adults can signup online or in-person at any library location. 

Celebrate the start of the Summer Reading Club in the courtyard at Main Library on Friday, June 2 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy fun, free activities for the whole family, food trucks and live performances by musician Jim Gill from 5:30-6:30p.m., and the Latin-soul infusion band Lalo Cura from 7:00-8:00 p.m. while signing up for the Summer Reading Club. 

When readers sign up, they will receive their choice of a free book and sticker or button in June, and another free book and a t-shirt in July, while supplies last. Participants will earn points as they read and listen to books and complete activities. Everyone who has at least one point each month will be entered into a drawing to win a prize that month. Each location will have a prize winner in each age category each month.

Summer reading provides benefits that extend well beyond the summer months, and people of all ages benefit from reading. Summer reading generates an interest in books and learning, and encourages both children and adults to develop a life-long habit of reading. Summer reading is also one of the best ways for students to be prepared for the next academic year as reading increases a student’s vocabulary, spelling ability and writing skills.

According to a three-year study, students who participated in summer reading programs at public libraries demonstrated higher reading achievement than students who did not participate. In addition, the students who participated in the summer reading programs increased their reading skills, motivation, confidence, and enjoyment of reading.

The Summer Reading Club is sponsored by TCU Foundation, Tire Rack and Gurley Leep at the Bestseller level. At the Classic level, 1st Source Bank, Arkos Design, Express Press, Masterbilt, May Oberfell Lorber, Herman & Goetz and Walker Hughes Insurance are financially supporting the program.

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