Are you looking for something fun and educational for your children to do this summer? Look no further than Lakewood Public Library’s Summer Reading Club! All ages of children can join the club, read great books and receive cool prizes. This year the Library has two reading clubs for children and youth to enjoy. “Catch the Reading Bug” is the theme for this year’s club for children birth through fifth grade. “Metamorphosis” is the reading club for youth entering sixth through twelfth grade. Children and youth who are members of either club are asked to read thirty books or read for thirty hours by August 16th.

Children, birth through fifth grade, who participate in “Catch the Reading Bug” will receive a reading record, bookmark and pencil just for signing up! As they read throughout the summer, members can visit the “Catch the Reading Bug” station to get bug stamps for their reading records and enter drawings for chances to win a Borders’ gift card. Children who fulfill the reading requirement will be given prizes including a certificate of completion, a magnifying glass and the opportunity to autograph the bookworm in the Children’s and Youth Services Department. Those who finish will be entered into a special prize drawing and could win t-shirts, butterfly nets, bug jars and bug catchers.

Youth entering sixth through twelfth grade can be a part of their own reading club this summer: “Metamorphosis.” Youth who take part in this club will receive a reading record, bookmark and pencil when they sign up. As they read during the summer, youth can visit the “Metamorphosis” station to check in and receive rewards including food or beverage coupons to Donatos, Phoenix Coffee and Chipotle. Participants will also have the opportunity to win a Borders’ gift card. Those who finish will be entered into a special prize drawing to win a gift card to The Exchange.

As an added bonus, Lakewood residents, birth through eighth grade, who register for Summer Reading Club at the Main Library between May 12th and May 24th will have the option of entering a once in a lifetime contest! The winner will have the opportunity to open the doors of the Main Library at the Rededication ceremony on June 1st and receive a twenty dollar gift card to Borders Books and Music. Children and grandchildren of Lakewood Public Library employees, LPL Board of Trustees members and LPL Foundation members are not eligible to enter the contest.

Studies have shown that children and youth who participate in summer reading clubs usually maintain or improve their reading skills. Don’t let the summer fly by without your child registering to be a participant in one of the Library’s “Buggy” Clubs. To sign up for the Summer Reading Club or for more information please stop by the Children’s Department at the Main Library or the Madison Branch. Remember the club and the fun start May 12th!