With children out of school for the summer, area libraries are once again providing programs to keep students engaged and learning over the break.
“This year we’re continuing with our aim to prevent summer slide,” said Kashaela Barber. public relations with the Augusta Public Library.
Color Our World – the theme of this year’s program in area counties — kicked off in Columbia and Aiken counties May 21. The summer program begins on June 1 in Richmond County with a special event planned for June 14.
Summer slide that Barber referred to is about students losing some of their learning gains from the school year.
“Children in 3rd to 5th grades also showed that students lost, on average, about 20 percent of their school-year gains in reading and 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break,” according to a post at Scholastic.com
Reading challenges plus fun and educational programs are planned for the next several weeks
“In June and July, we do have the summer reading program,” said Barber who added that it’s more than simply reading books although that is important. It’s also “getting involved with stories through acting ad puppetry” and other avenues that children can learn.
It’s not just children who can participate; the summer reading program is also open to adults who can earn prizes for spending time in books.
The Augusta kickoff will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14 at Dave and Buster’s.
“The Library will be giving away 100 children’s books penned by the inspiring author Nia Obotette, who will be attending the event! Ms. Obotette is not only a talented writer but also an accomplished triathlete, proving that anything is possible, and attendees will have the special opportunity to meet her,” according to a news release from the library.
The event also includes vendors, free food, games, face painting and live music.
In Aiken County, the summer reading program kicked off May 21 with children and adults encouraged to read 450 minutes to complete it.
Some popular events include the reptiles and amphibians from the Savanah River Ecology Lab. The presentation will be at 2 p.m. June 5 at the Hardin Auditorium at the Columbia County Library and 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 6, at North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library. There will be two presentations at the Aiken County Library on June 3 – one at 2 p.m. and another at 3 p.m.
For a complete list of summer reading activities in the Aiken-Bamberg-Barnwell-Edgefield library system, go here.
The Columbia County Library also has a variety of activities planned. To learn more, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s a Georgia Press Association winner and the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
