Summer is always great time for children to stay on track by reading and last week, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System kicked off "Dig into Reading," the Library's Summer Reading initiative geared toward school-age children and their families. Programs are planned throughout the next couple of months across the area and later this week you are asked to "Hug your Library".
"Dig into Reading, with all of the construction and all of the different projects going around here throughout Erie County, what a perfect theme to have landed in our lap from the New York State Library," said Mary Jean Jakubowski, library director.
The program provides a number of options to encourage children to read this summer. Various activities are planned including visits from the Buffalo Zoo to story hours and the library stationed at Canalside.
WBFO News asked Jakubowski if it is more difficult to get children engaged in reading in the digital age.
"You know it's funny you should say that because what we are finding is that a lot of the kids are coming back to reading using their electronic devices," said Jakubowski.
Other summer programs include "Read down your Fines." The activity gives children ages 16 and under a chance to read off any overdue library book fines.
This Thursday Jakubowski says everyone is invited to "hug" the library, a big event planned at the downtown location.
"We want people to come out in masses...give a hug to our libraries," said Jakubowski.
Then on August 3 there is the Battle of the Books. It's a jeopardy like game for kids in grades 6th through 9th grade, where children are challenged with questions from five books they've read.