NILES — Niles Community Schools announced its continued partnership with Meet Up and Eat Up summer program and the United Way of Southwest Michigan to bring pop-up libraries to Niles elementary students throughout the summer. At each event, students will be able to take a book of their choice home for free.

“Niles Community Schools is dedicated to improving student achievement over the summer, and ongoing practice will help children gain the necessary skills to flourish in school,” said Donna Roark, assistant superintendent. “Research proves that families play an important role in building and maintaining their children’s reading skills. We are excited to be able to connect families with resources available in the community.”

NCS will host a culminating pop-up library at an all-district family back-to-school kick-off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Niles Viking Stadium. The event will include the high school football team and marching band.

In addition, the district provided every preschool and elementary student a summer reading take-home pack. The pack includes engaging books, specific to each student’s reading level, meant to help families make the most of summer reading opportunities, said school staff.

Pop-up libraries will take place at the following times and locations:

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at Shotley Park, 2547-2553 Huntly Road

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25 at Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27 at Arbor Trails, 1615 North 5th St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 2 at Arbor Trails, 1615 N. 5th St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9 at Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 Front St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at Shotley Park, 2547-2553 Huntly Road

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16 at Shotley Park, 2547-2553 Huntly Road

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 at Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 Front St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 at Arbor Trails, 1615 North 5th St.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 Front St.

• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the Niles Viking Stadium, 1441 Eagle St.

The pop-up library program was launched by NCS with a goal of reducing summer learning loss, which often occurs during summer vacation. This year, the number of pop-ups increased from six to 13.