Summerfest 2011 means great stories, prizes, games and entertainment for everyone, and it’s only happening at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Sign up online at summerfest.tscpl.org to participate and win prizes.

Our summer reading program gives rewards, like free bowling passes and chocolate (see complete prize list here). Families are encouraged to find the program that’s right for them:

  • Youth: birth to middle school kids read to 12 hours
  • Teen: middle schoolers to 18-year-olds also read 12 hours
  • Group: a perfect option for daycares and camps
  • Adult: The 18 and older crowd will read 8 books

Just for signing up, kids and teens will receive a free book. Summer reading helps combat the learning loss that naturally occurs when students go on summer vacation. Studies show that participation in a public library reading program helps students to return to school at the same level or higher than when they left, said LeAnn Petrie, Youth Services supervisor.

“We put that to a test,” Petrie said. “We did a small project with Auburn-Washburn school district to see if we could validate that. It showed that by requiring simply 12 hours of reading, we could, in fact make an impact on a kid’s learning.”

This program isn’t limited to library books, either. Petrie said listening to audiobooks and other reading-related activities can count toward reading goals.

“The newspaper counts, magazines count, you can read your favorite blog or the back of the cereal box!” Petrie said. “We just want to give people the opportunity to show that they are a reader in the community.”

See what else you can get for reading. View our prize list for kids, teens and adults.

Free activities include:

Featured Programs (all ages unless otherwise indicated)

  • A Window on Germany: 7-8:30 p.m., June 2
  • Blockbuster Saturdays with Ventriloquist Kevin Horner: 10:30-11:30 a.m., June 4 and July 2
  • Topeka Tornado 45th Anniversary: 2-4 p.m., June 5
  • Laughing Matters Jr. @ the Library (improvisational comedy group): 2-3 p.m., June 9
  • Floral Design (registration required, call 785-580-4540): 7-8 p.m., June 9
  • Sunflower Music Festival – Music and Art: 2-3 p.m., June 13
  • Capoeira Demonstration and Workshop (Brazilian martial arts and dance, 10 years to adult): 2-3 p.m., June 16
  • On Safari with Gary K. Clarke: 7-8:30 p.m., July 7
  • Celtic Music: 7-8 p.m., July 17
  • Young Pianists from Novel Destinations: 3-4 p.m., July 23
  • Larger Than Life Game Day: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., July 30

Weekly Recurring Programs

  • Brain Brawlers Board Gaming (6-12 years): 1-3 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Blockbuster Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6:30 p.m.
  • Preschool Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Readapalooza (grades 2-5): 10-10:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Friday Flicks: 2-4 p.m.
  • Sunnyside Up Saturday: 10 a.m.

Come aboard the Adventuremobile at Top City Thursdays in Downtown Topeka the third Thursday of every month (find complete Adventuremobile schedule here), or visit other Bookmobiles at stops listed in the June/July edition of ConnectNow, also online at www.tscpl.org.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique, meeting rooms, and free computer and Internet access and training.

Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.