Clinton-Macomb Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program with Carnival

A good book can transport its readers anywhere, but only the ’s summer reading club will send one lucky family to Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth.

One of the library’s largest programs, the summer reading club is open to patrons of all ages, with special clubs offered for school-age children, teens and adults. Throughout the summer, participants are invited to log their reading hours on the library's website for a chance to win various prizes, including a trip to Splash Village.

This year, the club will kick off its activities with a carnival at the main library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23.

“We’ll have a bounce house, face painting, a roaming magician and a concert (featuring the Zippity2Dads),” said Deb Bodner, head of Youth Services, in a prepared statement. “We want to get families all over the area excited about the idea of reading for fun.”

The first 100 kids who attend will also receive free ice cream.

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Participants can register and log reading hours online

While the summer reading program is only open to children from birth to those entering fifth grade, summer reading clubs are available for teens (grades six to 12) and adults.

“We’re trying to make joining the club as easy as possible,” Bodner said. “People can come to the library and register, or they can register and keep track of their reading online.”

Participants register for the program online and sign in to their account to keep track of their progress. Once participants have reached milestones they will be alerted to visit the library to claim their prize.

“We’re excited to be able to offer people the option to log hours online,” said Community Relations Specialist Jamie Morris, in a prepared statement. “This year the website for registration and logging is mobile so people can log their reading time from virtually anywhere in the world, even if they go on vacation.”

Club members have the chance to win prizes

Children that complete the program will have the chance to win the grand prize of a family four-pack of tickets to the Cranbrook Science Center, or the super grand prize of a family overnight stay at Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth. As an added bonus, the parents of these winners will also receive a gasoline gift card.

“We know that it can sometimes be difficult to make the trip to the library,” Morris said. “We want to give parents a little extra incentive to bring their children to the library this summer.”

Teens

• Grab bags full of candy
• Gift cards
• Those who read 20 hours or more are invited to a Hunger Games-themed after-hours laser tag party at the library.

Adults

• Those who read a minimum of three books are entered into bi-weekly prize drawings.

“Since all ages can participate in the summer reading clubs, it is a great opportunity for families to read together,” Morris said. “Every year we want to not only increase the number of people who participate in the summer reading clubs, but also in the number of people who complete at least one level.”

Summer reading club costs are underwritten by the Friends of the Library and are not part of the library’s general budget.

Need summer reading suggestions? Patch has partnered with best-selling author James Patterson to bring you