Local youth gathered for performances by comedian and magician Cameron Zvara and to register for “A Universe of Stories,” the PWPL summer reading program.

Children up to age 12 who read or are read to register to read for at least 20 minutes each day for 10 days. Once completed, readers get to pick up a free book from the library and are entered into a grand prize drawing for a bike from Down Wind Sports sponsored by Northern Michigan University’s Forest Roberts Theatre. Those who read at least 50 hours over the summer receive a second entry for the grand prize drawing, get their picture on the library’s Cosmic Star Reader Wall and an astronaut T-shirt.

The drawing for the bike will take place on Aug. 12 and there are over 1,000 new books to choose from for those who complete 20 minutes of reading every 10 days, said PWPL Youth Services librarian Sarah Rehborg.

“We also have a new program called Teens Read and it’s for ages 13 through 18, and for that they read and/or go to various library teen activities and get a $10 gift card for a downtown shop; up to three throughout the summer,” Rehborg said.

Library Youth Services Assistant Ruth Ammons holds a paper astronaut which program participants can decorate and take photos with to be featured in The Mining Journal. Behind her is a bike from Down Wind Sports sponsored by Northern Michigan University’s Forest Roberts Theatre that a youth reader can win by participating in the program. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

Teens ages 13 and 14 may choose which reading program they wish to participate in.

Summer readers can also pick up and decorate a Flat Astro. Children can take their paper astronaut on adventures, snap a photo of their travels and post it to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtags #pwplys and #FlatAstro or email it to the library at pwplys@gmail.com. A flat astro photo will be featured in the Our Youth section of The Mining Journal each Sunday.

“Reading is fun,” Rehborg said. “It’s proven to stop the summer slide, keep kids at their reading level instead of losing reading skills during the summer — and who doesn’t like getting free books? It’s very easy to do, it’s fun, it doesn’t cost any money, there’s no admission fee for anybody to come to any of our programs so we really encourage kids to come and hang out here.”

The summer reading program is sponsored by The Friends of the PWPL and Dr. Allyn Roberts.

Registration for the summer reading program is open all summer. Youth can stop into the library to register or visit www.pwpl.info.

Information about all of the PWPL’s other summer programs can be found on the Peter White Public Library Youth Services Facebook page.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is photos@miningjournal.net.