With the regular school year winding down, it's time to think about summer activities for children. Once again, Moniteau County Library @ Wood Place has a 10 week Summer Reading Program for the children of Moniteau County. The program will serve toddlers and preschoolers all the way up through students in high school. The library has sponsored
this popular program for many years with the goal to promote literacy.Â
There are five levels of participation with special programs for four of them.
The Family Reader is for children who are not reading on their own or just beginning to read. Parents are encouraged to read with their child on a regular basis. The Family Reader is divided into two groups: Toddler/Preschooler and entering Kindergarten and first grade. The lower level focuses on two-four year olds with their own story time each Wednesday
morning at 10:30 a.m. beginning May 22. There are two different booklets for the family readers so that the activities are age appropriate with the theme "Dig into Reading". Those entering Kindergarten and first grade will have special programs on Thursday evening with the second-fourth graders.Â
The Independent Reader level is for students entering second-fourth grade in the fall. These children are encouraged to read on their own at least 15 minutes a day.  Programs on the theme: "Dig into Reading", will be held each Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. beginning on May 23 upstairs at the library.
Children in the Family and Independent Reader levels earn tickets for reading books and attending programs. The tickets can be spent on games and prizes at the Under the Deep Blue Sea Party on Aug. 1. Complete information concerning rewards and programs will be available at registration.
"Beneath the Surface" is the theme for those entering fifth-eighth grade. These students are encouraged to read 1500 pages over a 10 week period. These students will be able to enjoy special programming on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. upstairs at the library on May 28, June 11 and 25 and July 9 and 23. These programs will focus on geology, shipwrecks,
archaeology, caves, and the environment. Students at this level will earn tickets for reading and attending programs and spend them on prizes at a pizza party on Aug. 2. Complete information concerning rewards and programs will be available at registration.Â
For the second summer, there is a program for teens entering grades ninth-12.
They can earn cash prizes for reading for enjoyment over the summer. The reward for reading four books is $5; eight books is $10; and 12 books is $15.Â
Registration for all levels will start Thursday, May 16, and continue through Saturday, May 25, during library hours, Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m.-1p.m.
Students will receive a booklet or folder to record the books
they have read from the library over the summer. Complete information about the program will be in the booklets, as well as on the library web page: www.woodplacelibrary.org To promote good reading habits throughout Moniteau County, children who live outside the city limits of California or live in the eastern district of Moniteau County, may have a free library card for the summer. For more information call
573-796-2642.