By JENNIFER DAVIS
of Peoria Public Library

Peoria Public Library has hosted a Summer Reading program for nearly 80 years. Some things have stayed constant — the reading — but this isn’t your grandmother’s Summer Reading program.

Or is it?

One of the lingering misconceptions about Summer Reading is that it’s just for kids. It’s not.

In fact, at Peoria Public Library, we are so committed to being adult-friendly, we’ve even started hosting an Adults Only Summer Reading Party. This year, we’re taking over Main Library, hosting a live band, Dexter O’Neal and the Funk Yard, and planning a library-wide scavenger hunt, mocktails and more.

All ages are invited to sign up for our Summer Reading program, beginning May 13.

Still, there is a seriousness to making sure you crack open a book or graphic novel or two this summer. COVID disrupted formative learning skills for many students. According to many studies, this is especially true for reading literacy, a key competence that influences students’ achievement in other subjects.

Peoria Public Library has joined this year with the Peoria County Schools Regional Superintendent’s Office and Peoria Public Schools to focus on bringing more children and teens into the library’s annual Summer Reading program. Further recognizing the importance, State Reps. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, and Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, and State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, have all financially contributed to helping Peoria Public Library boost Summer Reading this year. As always, the Friends of Peoria Public Library is a key sponsor.

Summer Reading not only fights the so-called “Summer Slide,” but it can build reading comprehension, fluency, grammar and spelling. More than that, it can build a lifelong love of reading and learning because we make Summer Reading fun!

“We decided to do something a little different this year and tap into the trend of gamification,” said Alyce Jackson, head of programming for Peoria Public Library. “We have created different reading-themed BINGO cards for each age group. People can play online or pick up a paper BINGO sheet. It’s just something to add a little fun and maybe even family competition to Summer Reading.”

Sign-up starts May 13 for Peoria Public Library’s Summer Reading program. This year’s theme is Read, Renew, Repeat so the library has planned a number of eco-friendly programs this summer.

For more details, visit the  Peoria Public Library website