It is summertime, which means fun in the sun! It also means that the Minot Public Library will again be hosting its Summer Learning/Reading Program for ALL ages. This year’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities,” and readers only have to log the days they read to earn some spectacular prizes.

Why is reading during the summer so essential? MPL hosts Summer Learning programs for many reasons, but primarily to help cultivate life-long reading and prevent students from losing crucial skills over the summer. Kids who lose knowledge over the summer will have a much harder time getting “caught back up” in school, and by the time they are, summer may be just around the corner again. To help prevent this, all children through 5th grade will be able to select a free book to add to their personal library once they’ve logged 30 days of reading as well as entries into a grand prize drawing. People can log by using either Beanstack, the Library’s free app for tracking books, or by picking up a paper log from the Library.

“Summer is a great time to stay busy camping, hanging at the pool, or going to the lake, but the Minot Public Library wants to encourage people to use this time to also continue reading and learning,” says Pam Carswell, Teen Librarian. While Beanstack will help track reading virtually, the Library will also host many in-person programs for all ages to help keep people busy.

Free, in-person programs offered at the Minot Public Library include story times on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for younger kids and camps for school-aged kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Mondays, there will also be movie matinees for families. For families unable to attend programs during the weekday, the Children’s Library hosts Family Story Time and Kindness Knights on the second Saturday of each month.

Kindness Knights is a program for children from second to sixth grade and their families. Each month attendees will work on projects to help the community. “It’s vital for us to help other organizations in Minot and introduce our youngest patrons to the great things happening in Minot,” says Library Director Janet Anderson. Anderson also shared that in 2022 the Children’s Library will continue to let children turn their reading into money they can donate to local charities. Children will earn $.10 for each day they log reading, and when they come into the

Library, they will choose where they want the money to go. “Last year was the first year we did this, and it was awesome seeing the kids get to choose where to donate money, and we were able to donate over $400. This year, donations will be going to Companions for Children, Independence, Inc., and Project Bee,” she said.

Summer reading (and Beanstack) is not just for kids, though; the Minot Public Library has plenty of challenges for adults and teens this summer. Teens who log 15 days will receive a halfway prize, and those who log 30 days will receive a $10 gift card to a local bookstore. Carswell added that “While Beanstack will be tracking your teen’s reading from anywhere, we are also preparing many programs.” Programs include an Escape Room, murder mysteries, camping adventures, 3D printing projects, crafts, and more!

“Summer reading offers a lot for kids, but adults benefit too,” Adult Services Librarian Zhaina Moya added. “Some of the many benefits adults gain from reading include an increased ability to focus, reduced stress, and increased cultural competency,” Moya said. Adults who log their reding will get Beanstack tickets to go toward prizes, including gift cards for Game Stop, Margie’s Art Glass Studio, Main Street Books, and AMC. Adults who log 30 days will receive fun prizes as well. She said the Library would also be hosting its popular year-round programming and new programs, including a cookie decorating contest and a reptile program.

The Summer Learning/Reading program kicks off on Thursday, June 2, at the Minot Public Library from 4:30 – 6 p.m. The Library will offer outdoor games for the family and some sweet treats at this event.

If you do not have access to the Beanstack app (or a computer), paper logs are available for all ages at the Library. Visit https://minotnd.beanstack.org/ or download the Beanstack app to sign up today! Call the Minot Public Library at 852-1045, visit www.minotlibrary.org or follow MPL on Facebook or Instagram for more details.