Library Summer Reading program aims to entertain, prevent summer slide

Library Summer Reading program aims to entertain, prevent summer slide

By Sandra Wilson, USAG Benelux Public Affairs

USAG BENELUX-BRUNSSUM, Netherlands – Now that school is out for the summer, libraries across the Department of Defense are reaching out to communities to help children explore their world through this year’s Summer Reading Program: Read Beyond the Beaten Path.

Library staff highly encourage continuing to read when school is not in session to avoid what is commonly referred to as the “summer slump.”

According to Jennie Campbell, supervisory librarian at Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum, the Netherlands, summer reading contributes to higher academic success when school starts.

“Some people still see libraries as something dusty,” said Monique Peels, JFC Brunssum Library technologist. “(The Summer Reading Programs helps) inspire kids to get hooked on reading (because) they might come for the fun.”

This summer, children can discover how to enjoy being at the library as they explore each week’s themed activities - including bugs, LEGOs, mystical animals, painting, flowers, science, forest animals, and animal sleepovers at the JFC Brunssum Library. The library staff also provides a large display of books for all reading levels to complement the theme of the week.

The JFC Library partnered with the AFNorth International School in May to explain the program to each classroom of students before school let out. The program kicked off June 1 and continues through Aug. 14. Not only will there be activities available all summer, but participants can log their reading minutes online to collect prizes for each milestone reached.

Each week’s themed activities also last the duration of the library’s opening hours so that Families can come in to participate whenever they find a free moment in their schedule.

“We try to work with everyone in the Tri-Border area,” said Campbell. “It’s everyone’s library.”

Campbell welcomes all to participate, even while they are traveling. Reading as a Family, listening to audio books and reading e-books all count toward minutes logged. The program can be particularly attractive to new Families who have just moved into the community, are stuck in a hotel or don’t yet have their household goods delivered. It’s open to all ages, including young pre-readers and even adults.

The goal of the Summer Reading Program is to pique the reader’s curiosity.

“I had a son who wouldn’t read any fiction,” said Campbell.

Discovering a subject that intrigues them is a key factor in engaging children in a book. She found that her son was drawn into reading through the Eyewitness series of educational books with engaging photos.

If a particular book cannot be found on the shelf, the library offers access to an interlibrary loan system through 17 other libraries in Europe. Additionally, they always welcome book purchase recommendations. Multiple languages are also featured in different sections of the library.

Outside of the Summer Reading Program, the JFC Brunssum and the other Benelux libraries offer even more amenities to the community. While each location is different, potential services include access to computers and printers, group meeting spaces, exam proctoring (by appointment), and WiFi availability — all at no cost for the user.

“We are an all-ages library,” Peels said. “We are vibrating and alive!”

Interested Families can register for the reading program by finding their location’s library at DoD-MWR Libraries Summer Reading Program.

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The JFC Brunssum Library is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the last Saturday of each month.

• 4-8 July JFC Library “Mystical Animals” make animal masks & headbands, scavenger hunt.
• 11-15 July JFC Library “Painting Camp” stone painting & scavenger hunt.
• 18-22 July JFC Library “Flowers” painting pots & planting seeds, scavenger hunt.
• 25-30 July JFC Library “Science Camp” science stations & scavenger hunt.
• 1-5 Aug. “Forest Animals” make animal masks & scavenger hunt.
• 8-12 Aug. JFC Library “Animal Sleepover”

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The Brussels Library is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Their summer hours will extend through Labor Day weekend, and then they will return to their standard hours of operation.

At the Brussels Library as of Monday, July 11, a little over 700 hours of reading have been logged by 100 readers. For the summer reading program, age-appropriate reading incentives will be available through Labor Day weekend while supplies last.

There are also plenty of activities available throughout the summer. These include curbside crafts, weekly story time and weekly “crafternoon" programs. The library staff posts an overview of the week’s programs every Tuesday on the Brussels MWR Facebook page.

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The Chievres Library is open noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. They are offering themed story time throughout the summer, as well as take-home crafts. The library can be reached at chievreslibrary@gmail.com.

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The SHAPE Library is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

They offer themed story times throughout the week that also count towards their Summer Reading Program incentives. Preschool story time is on Tuesdays at 2 p.m., and on Wednesdays there is lap sit (infant) story time at 9:30 a.m. and all ages story time at 10:30 a.m.

Additionally, the SHAPE Library offers Family “crafternoons” on Saturdays starting at 1 p.m. Adult and teen movie nights and STEM programming is also available throughout the week. More information can be found at the library or through the SHAPE International Library Facebook page.