The Artesia Public Library has officially kicked off its Summer Reading Program.

The library staff said the planned programs invite children, teens and adults to join the fun with their theme, “Adventure Begins At Your Library.”

“Summer Reading Programs are essential for the youth of the community,” said Library Supervisor Omar Acosta. “They are a fun and creative way for kids to develop a love for reading that will establish a lifelong relationship with books that will be advantageous in every aspect of their life, especially in their academic pursuits.”

According to Acosta, the program helps kids keep their reading habits healthy during the summer months.

“Summer reading helps students to retain knowledge and skills learned in the previous school year,” he said. “It can strengthen their reading skills and build on their comprehension skills and general knowledge of the world.”

The annual Summer Reading Program draws massive participation, with 816 registered readers and 4,503 program attendees who read a total of 8,165 books last year during June and July.

The program also reminds people that the library is for more than books and reading — it’s a gathering place to share knowledge and have fun while learning.

According to Melissa Ochoa, Teen Services Librarian: “The program gives teens a place to socialize and connect with each other, to open a book, and to not just be home all summer.”

Adult Services Librarian Wendy Kilpatrick often reminds people that learning doesn’t end at a certain age. That’s why she also strongly encourages adults to participate in the Summer Reading Program.

“With our adult programming, we try to offer something for everyone,” said Kilpatrick. “If our goal is to foster a lifelong love of reading beginning at an early age, we have to continue to feed that love into the teen years and throughout adulthood.”

“Summer Reading Programs are a big part of making reading fun while at the same time offering fun and educational programs for everyone,” she added.

As far as program prizes go, they vary by age, and include:

• For Kids 12 and Under: When they read, they write down the title of the book they are reading in the box for that day. After they read for seven days, they bring in the calendar and get the prize for Level 1. Every 7 days is a different level and a bigger prize. At Level 2 they get a book bag. Other prizes include sunglasses, beach balls, binoculars, a compass. At level 6, they receive a book to take home and keep. If they complete the program by reading every day, they get a bag of school supplies. Additionally, for every level they get an entry into the grand prize drawing. Grand prizes include a Playday Wheel Barrel with toys, sticker books, Kids Adventure Set, Table Top S’mores Kit, art supplies, plushies and more. Kids can earn extra prize entries when they attend programs.

• For Teens 13 – 18: Teens receive a charm bracelet when they register. Teens log the amount of time they read on their reading log. After they read for five hours, they get to select charms for their bracelets. They receive an entry into the grand prize drawing for every five hours read. If they turn in a book review, they get a backpack tag for charms. Teen grand prizes include AirPods, a digital camera, and a gift card.

• For Adults 18 and Up: For every book read, they get to draw for a prize. Prizes this year include bookmarks, notepads, stress balls, mini flashlights and a mini screwdriver set. Each book read earns patrons an entry into the weekly and grand prize drawings. Weekly prizes include gift cards to local businesses and some other goodies for book lovers. Adult grand prizes are a cozy book lovers blanket, an Amazon gift card and a charcuterie board set.

The library will host dozens of free events, programs and activities for all ages.

One of the largest events will be a Family Field Day at the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center on July 12 from 5-7 p.m. Families and individuals can compete in corn hole, ring toss, hula hooping, relay races, and more.

“I am most excited about this event because we’ll be able to get outside and focus on family time,” Kilpatrick said. “This is the first time we are holding an event like this.”

Other family programs include Family Chalk Party on June 28 from 5-7 p.m. where families will decorate the sidewalks and part of the parking lot with chalk. On Monday, July 8, at 10 a.m., the library will host a mural painting session with assistance from the Artesia Arts and Cultural District.

“Inevitably, a child that participates in our Summer Reading Program is going to have fun, be entertained by the performers and presentations that the library will host, they will learn new skills, and be encouraged to be imaginative and creative,” said Acosta. “Hopefully they will develop a sense of community and a love of reading that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

Registration for the Summer Reading Program is free and ends June 15. For a full list of events and activities, visit the Artesia Public Library website.