Public Library, School District, Local Businesses Unite for Summer Reading Program
The Beaufort County Library System, the Beaufort County School District, and numerous local businesses and organizations will join forces to promote reading and combat the loss of literacy skills with an innovative summer reading program.
The collaborative, countywide approach to summer reading began in 2019 and resulted in thousands of participants visiting the public library to meet their reading goals and a chance to win a prize.
This year’s program provides a fun and easy-to-follow reading ‘game board’ with incentivizing prizes that will, most importantly, promote reading and literacy. Participants can read whatever books they want while aiming to read for at least 20 minutes a day. The game is designed to accommodate all ages, from babies to senior citizens. All Beaufort County residents are encouraged to join the fun.
Studies show that reading for at least 20 minutes a day can help mitigate the effects of the ‘summer slide,’ when children can lose valuable reading skills during the summer when they aren’t in school.
The Beaufort County School District and the library have teamed up to ensure all students keep reading during the summer. Each student will be provided with a game board before summer break begins, and both the school district and the library will work in tandem to engage participants on social media throughout the summer.
Dozens of local businesses and organizations have provided incredible prizes and incentives allowing lucky readers who finish the program a chance to win a 2-night hotel stay, camping trip, kayak adventure, electronic device, cooking demonstration, restaurant gift card, dolphin cruise, escape room experience, and so much more. In addition, little ones, children, and teens will receive books to help build their home libraries.
The program begins Saturday, June 19 and ends July 31. To participate, individuals only need to get hold of a game board and something(s) to read. Game boards will be available at all Beaufort County Library locations starting June 12. Curbside service is available. No registration necessary. A library card is not required to participate although the library encourages all residents ages 4 and older to obtain their very own card.
“Fostering a love of reading begins at birth,” says Amanda Dickman, Beaufort County Library Director. “Our summer reading program encourages reading not just for children and their parents but also for teens, adults, and seniors who may have forgotten how wonderful it feels to escape into a good book, especially after this past year. The great prizes are just the icing on the cake.”
Contacts
- Traci Cox, Beaufort County Library, Marketing and Communications Manager, tcox@bcgov.net
- Melissa Murray, Beaufort County School District, Director of Literacy, melissa.murray@beaufort.k12.sc.us
