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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Pelham Public Library’s annual summer reading program is set to return on Tuesday, May 27, encouraging children and teens across Pelham to maintain a love for reading during the summer season.

The theme for this year’s summer reading program is “Color Our World.” Open to readers of all ages, this colorful celebration of literacy encourages the Pelham community to dive into reading this summer whilst tracking their progress and potentially winning prizes.

Participants in the summer reading program will be able to track their reading progress through the Beanstack app. Kids and teens will earn badges and prizes from the library treasure chests, plus entries into weekly drawings. Rewards including LEGO sets, robotics kits and a new bike from Bike Link of Hoover are available.

Teen readers can also win a Bluetooth-enabled record player grand prize and earn extra entries for additional reading or by completing activities. Adults are also encouraged to participate in the program: for every three books checked out from adult fiction or nonfiction collections, patrons can enter to win weekly gift card giveaways and an $100 Publix gift card.

Rebecca Thrasher Burchfield, a children’s librarian at the Pelham Public Library, discussed what inspired the “Color Our World” theme.

“The theme is selected well in advance by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, of which the state of Alabama is a member,” Burchfield said. “This theme is nationwide, and a well-known illustrator or artist is chosen to design the themed artwork we see each summer. We get theme-related art, promotional materials and other aids to help us prepare the summer reading program. The theme this year, ‘Color Our World,’ showcases art and how the library can be a great resource for anyone interested in creating art of their own.”

Burchfield explained why the summer reading program is such an important tradition for the library and the community.

“We really want everyone to enjoy reading and all of the things available through the library,” Burchfield said. “We hope kids will see reading as something to enjoy outside of the school year. As for the kids who aren’t reading on their own yet, we hope to spark an interest in reading as they share stories with family and friends through the program. It is also a good time to draw adults into the library to see what we are all about. They might come in with their kids or grandkids to see an event, or they might come in to grab a quick read to take on vacation. Once they are here, then they can also find out all of the resources we offer at the library. Plus—what we offer is fun, free and air conditioned, all very important during those hot summer months.”

Readers of all ages can register online with Beanstack at Pelhamlibraryal.beanstack.com or by using the Beanstack app on their device. They can track their reading and earn virtual badges when hitting reading milestones or attending library events. The virtual badges serve as markers to help readers track the progress made while reading. Kids and teens track minutes spent reading, while adults track the number of books they read.

Readers are also encouraged to visit Pelham.librarycalendar.com to see what activities and events the library has planned this summer.

“There is something for every age group, and if an individual activity requires registration, you can do that through the online calendar,” Burchfield said.

Any books, magazines and graphic novels count towards a reader’s progress, as well as e-books and audiobooks.

“For our friends who can’t read just yet, count any story they listen to,” Burchfield said. “For example, if older kids read to younger kids, they can both count those minutes. If a reader is interacting with a story in any way, it counts. There is even a timer in the Beanstack app to help track those minutes.”

Burchfield added that the prizes are a great way to incentivize something as productive as reading.

“The prizes are just something special to provide extra encouragement for our readers,” Burchfield said. “Avid readers have a goal to strive for, and reluctant readers have something to draw them in and motivate them to participate. We are even fortunate enough to partner with Bike Link and Specialized each year to reward one child with a brand new bike. The more any of our summer readers read, the more times their name goes into the drawing for those special prizes. These are nice incentives for our readers, but even if everyone can’t win a big prize, we do have small rewards along the way. We also know that they will have fun seeing how much they have accomplished over the summer.”

Burchfield concluded by saying that the summer reading program, and reading in general, makes a tangible difference in the lives of families.

“Kids work really hard building their reading skills all school year long, and we want them to stay in practice so that they are not starting off the next school year a step behind,” Burchfield said. “It also keeps teens and adults sharp as they continue to learn, since reading and literacy are so fundamental to any kind of learning. Reading and participating in the program is something families can do away from screens, and it is something they can all do together.”

For more information on the Pelham Public Library, visit Pelhamlibraryal.gov.