Dallas Public Library’s annual summer reading program is underway

The Dallas Public Library’s annual summer learning program begins Saturday, June 5 kicking off 10-weeks of virtual experiences and incentives to encourage kids to keep learning all summer long.

SMART Summer with Mayor Johnson engages students as young as infants all the way to 18-years-old in science, math, art, reading and technology programs. These programs help exercise the skills they built during the school year and keeps students sharp to set them up for success in the fall.

“We set out every year to make summer count,” said Director of Libraries Jo Giudice. “This year we feel it is more important than ever to do what we can to provide opportunities for kids to keep the learning going.”

In addition, students 18 and younger who read, or are read to, at least 20 minutes a day earn a free book for every 10 days of reading, up to five times through August 14. When participants read 50 days, they will be entered in the grand prize drawings. Students can also complete online activities for more chances to win the grand prizes. Some of the prizes include: a basketball hoop, a Barbie Dream House, a trampoline and other packages.

Parents and other adults can also participate in a parallel reading program. Kids who see the grown-ups in their lives reading regularly encourages the practice and establishes reading as a family value.

Registration for SMART Summer with Mayor Johnson is now open at www.dallaslibrary.org/smartsummer or in person at any Dallas Public Library location.

All live programs will take place on Zoom, including animals, dinosaurs, science experiments and much more almost every day. Take-home kits will be available at all library locations for hands-on experiences. Register for SMART Summer events at www.dallaslibrary.org/events. Most Dallas Public Library locations are open for limited services, including browsing and using the computer. All library programming remains virtual.

The SMART Summer program is sponsored by Friends of the Dallas Public Library, the nonprofit organization that funds programming and marshals public support for the library system. “The summer reading program is a mainstay of library services, and we’re gratified every year to be part of making it happen,” said Mary Wilonsky, executive director of the Friends.