By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

The Niles District Library is inviting everyone from infants to the elderly to join in this year’s Summer Reading Program, which got under way on Monday and will last eight weeks.

Children’s librarian Darlene Jackson said books are unique in that they attract people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Whether you’re a brand new baby or 106, there is something here for you,” Jackson said.
And so far the response has been good. As of Monday, 2,709 people are participating in the program, an increase from last year at this time, according to Jackson.

The program has three age brackets – children, teens and adults, each with age appropriate prizes.

For children, small toys and knickknacks can be earned for each hour they read or are read to. Teenagers earn food coupons for every two hours they read, while adults get a hardcover book for every five hours read, up to 20 hours.

This year’s theme is “Make a Splash. Read.” Every week of the program there will be story times with a water theme on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

Grab bags of goodies, craft bags and brain puzzles will be available for children each week. The program will be capped off with a performance by a magician on Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. at the library.

There is no registration involved for the program. Simply pick up a reading calendar at the library at any time during the eight weeks.

Jackson said the summer reading program is vital to the community as it encourages youngsters to hone their reading skills in the summer months.

“For young children, if you go three months without reading, you lose some skills and fall behind,” Jackson said. “A teacher can definitely tell if they have been reading over the summer or not.”