School may be dismissed from the classrooms in Clinton County for the next couple of months, but learning and reading for many school age children continues year-round and one incentive in keeping children interested in books and reading is the always successful Summer Reading Program held annually at the Clinton County Public Library.

There is also an old saying, you never get to old to learn, and as in past years, there is also an Adult Summer Reading program that correlates with the children’s program over the summer season.

The 2016 Summer Reading Program officially kicked off this past Monday, June 6, but it is not too late for children and adults to join in on the fun and activities associated with the program, according to Clinton County Librarian Gayla Duvall.

The summer reading program as we know it today has been ongoing for over 20 years. Duvall said there may have been reading programs prior to that, but basically just where kids checked out and read books, rather than attending programs and participating in the other events that go on throughout June and July.

The Summer Reading Program unofficially is from 11 a.m. to 12 noon each day, with the exception of Thursdays. However, Duvall said some people come in as early as 10:30 a.m. to get started and stay until up to 1 p.m.

Children are awarded free items based on the number of books read, generally being asked to complete 25 books throughout the program. Each participant is eligible to receive two free Blizzards courtesy of Dairy Queen of Albany. Duvall said the library was also working with other businesses to help provide prizes for the children and adults for their accomplishments.

For those adults participating in the program, they will be awarded a free breakfast after completion and prizes.

There will also be a prize drawing each Saturday in July during the Summer Reading Program, which has as its theme this year “Reading through the Alphabet.”

Duvall said that other than Dairy Queen, Sonic also sponsors prizes and the school’s 21st Century program funds four bicycles that are given away each year at the completion of the program. Also last year, Majors Pizza donated several pan pizzas as prizes for the children’s program. She also noted the Clinton County Extension Office was conducting the Friday programs, “Fun and Fitness,” which is a big help this year.

Other than donations, which include some local businesses, the library itself purchases other prizes to give to the participants.

Last year, around 20 adults participated in the Adult Summer Reading program, with 11 having signed up for it so far this year. The library doesn’t keep records of specific numbers of children who participate, but just in the first few days of the program, there has been an average of 80 children and parents on hand each day.

Adults are asked to choose at least 10 categories from a list and upon completion, list the title of the book read. The list must be returned to the library to receive a participation gift and entry into the Adult Summer Reading Program raffle. This year, they also have a separate grand prize drawing for those participants who choose to complete the entire list.

Duvall said one of the most gratifying parts of the Summer Reading Program is to see kids actually reading the books and added they all were interested in choosing and selecting the books they want to read.

Under a program called First Book, new books can be purchased by the library for just .45 cents each, so the books are passed on to the children for free to keep.

Duvall said the library and the Summer Reading Program participants again plan on putting a float in the Foothills Festival Parade, saying the First Book program allows them to have enough books to give away during the event. Children who rode the float last year, instead of throwing out candy, threw out books to the children who aligned the parade route. Duvall said it was a huge success and said in some cases, a child (spectator) “would throw down their candy to try and get a book.”

Duvall said the average age of participant in the summer program is around eight years of age, but there have been kids (with parents help) getting reading experience as young as 18 months of age and the age goes up to 18 years.

Duvall also gave some statistics from the Kentucky Department of Libraries, showing how Clinton County has ranked over the years in participation, as well as the level of funding, per public library, in the state.

For example, in 2014-15, Clinton County was 110th in per capita revenue at $16.85 compared to the average of $41.51.

“We not only make our pennies squeal, we make them scream,” Duvall noted in comparing the low local funding rate, compared to the many programs, especially for children, that the library is able to offer each year. For example, children’s program attendance at the Clinton County Public Library, per capita, was 1.29, the third best in the state and book circulation was 7.84, the seventh best.

Also in 2013-14, the local library was again 110th in revenue per capita, yet, in both years 2014 and 2013, was fourth best in children’s program participation. Similar statistics showing low revenue, but yet high participation rates was shown all the way back to the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

The program is presented four days a week, Monday through Wednesday, with a different theme and Fit and Fun (through the extension office) on Fridays. Beginning the first Saturday in July a prize drawing will be held each week at 11 a.m.

The program themes for the week of June 13-17 include: Monday, June 6, Eric Carle; Tuesday, June 7, Dogs, with special guest Clifford; Wednesday, E for Eyes; Friday, Fit and Fun.

Completed June reading logs will be accepted through July 5 to receive the June incentive prize.

Duvall would like to thank all the individuals and businesses, as well as groups and organizations, that help make the program possible and successful each year and invites all school age children to take part.

Keep up with each week’s event throughout the summer, as events for each upcoming week will be listed in the Things To Do Section of the Clinton County News.

Anyone interested in participating in the Summer Reading Program and Adult Summer Reading Program are invited to visit the library or call 387-5989 for more information.