(Dover, Ohio) – School is quickly becoming the last thing on our children’s minds and a local library is offering a program for those concerned about the ‘Summer Slide.’

The “Summer Slide,” a term used to describe a sometimes dramatic loss in reading skills over the summer, can register their child for Dover Public Library’s Youth Summer Reading Program.

The program runs from June 10 – August 2, and requires participants to read 600 minutes over the summer. “We don’t make any stipulations on what a child can read,” says Youth Services Manager Claire Kandle. “We just want them to be reading, using those hard-earned skills so they don’t lose them by the time they return to school in the fall. And it’s easy to piggyback our Summer Reading with another program they may be doing through the school or church – it’s worth it for the prizes!” 

The first day to register for the library’s Youth Summer Reading Program (theme: “Blast-off to Reading Adventures!”) is Saturday, June 8th at the Annual Summer Reading Kick-off event from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Dover Park by the StoryWalk®. Kids can participate in fun, space-themed games and pick up their reading tracker, along with a bag of goodies they will get for registering.

When they complete the reading requirement, they can bring the reading tracker back to the library.

After they turn in their completed tracker, they will receive 1) a ticket to the annual pool party, held this year on Sunday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m., 2)a $10 Fine Forgiveness Card valid for 1 full year, and 3)10 tickets to enter into a drawing for grand prizes, most of which have been donated to the program by local businesses.

Prizes this year include (but are not limited to) 2020 day passes to Kings Island, passes to Uhrichsville City Waterpark, and a new bicycle donated by the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau.

Dover Public Library’s Youth Summer Reading Program is co-sponsored this year by The Friends of Dover Public Library. It is open to all area kids who will be 3 years old by June 8 up to kids who will be entering grade 5 in the fall. Please call the library at 330-343-6123 for more information.