Summer Reading
The Gaston County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program
June 3-August 12
Our 2023 summer reading theme is All Together Now! Choose books, magazines, comic books, e-books, and audiobooks at the library or at home that you love to read. Research shows that reading at least fifteen to twenty minutes a day is optimum for slowing the summer slide, the loss of learning which happens over the summer.
How does Summer Reading work at the Gaston County Public Library?
Pre-Readers and Early Readers (Birth-Age 5)
Pre-readers and early readers, pick up a free early literacy record at any library branch. Parents, complete the activities with your child to receive a finishing prize and be entered into the Grand Prize drawing.
Elementary Readers (Ages 6-11)
Elementary-aged readers, grab a free reading record at any library branch. Read for 15 minutes a day (read anything you like!) and mark it on your record. Come back to the library later in the summer and a librarian will check your record and give you any prizes you've earned along the way. After you have completed your record, turn it in at any library branch for a wristband and two entries into our Grand Prize drawing! Participants may complete multiple records for additional drawing entries.
Grades 6-12
For teens in grades 6-12, pick up a free teen reading card, read 6 books over the summer, and bring in your completed card to earn a finishing prize and be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Participants may complete multiple records for additional drawing entries.
Adults
Adults, pick up a free adult reading card at your library, then read 4 books to win your choice of a bag or a cup and an entry into the Grand Prize drawing! Participants may pick up multiple cards throughout the summer.
Online Reading Record Options
In addition to printed reading records, there will also be an online summer reading option for those that prefer to go paperless.
Our online summer reading option for kids is Readsquared.
For teens and adults, participate online in our Goodreads group at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/126078-gaston-library
FREE Library Events
Throughout the summer, GCPL will host a variety of fun, educational programs. Make sure to follow GCPL and your local branch on Facebook and check our website for programming announcements.
GCPL Youth Services Facebook (for children’s and teen information and programming): https://www.facebook.com/gcplyouthservices
GCPL Teen Instagram (for teens): https://www.instagram.com/gcpl_teens/
GCPL Facebook (for adult information and programming): https://www.facebook.com/gastonlibrary
Online Reading Tools
Need help strengthening Reading Skills like comprehension, phonics, and fluency? Try Home Reading Helper https://www.homereadinghelper.org/
Concerned about your child’s readiness for Kindergarten?
Gaston County Early Literacy Collaborative provides fantastic resources for Birth to age 5:
http://gastonlibrary.org/online-databases/gaston-county-early-literacy-collaborative/
National Summer Learning Week
National Summer Learning Week is July 10-July 14. During National Summer Learning Week, we celebrate summertime efforts to keep children healthy, safe, and learning so that they are ready for school success. Learn more by visiting this site.