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The Rock County Community Library kicked off its 2015 reading program, “Read to the Rhythm,” Monday, June 1, in the library basement.
Sioux Falls musician Phil Baker entertained dozens of toddlers, elementary-aged children and parents with his program, “Sing Us Into Summer,” encouraging audience members to move to the music.
The Friends of the Library-sponsored event concluded with an ice cream social on the library’s lawn.
According to children’s librarian Bronwyn Wenzel, more than 235 students have signed up for the summer reading program — the most participants this early in the program.
Wenzel said teens earn Reading Bucks for every book they complete and can purchase prizes at the program’s end.
Preschool through kindergarten students also earn prizes for each book they complete, and first- through fifth-grade students earn prizes for every 30 minutes they read.
Participants logs the number of books and the reading time on sheets available at the library’s front desk.
Wenzel credits Luverne Elementary third-grade teacher Patsy Amborn for having arranged elementary classrooms to tour the community library last month.
“A few students had never been in the library before,” Wenzel said.
Registration for the reading program is still open. The program continues until July 17.
The “Sing Into Summer” kick-off is one of several programs the library is sponsoring this summer. For a full list of programs, contact the library at 449-5040.