Philadelphia Library Entices Summer Readers

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - When school is over, learning shouldn't stop and the best way to learn and have fun is joining a summer reading program.

Kids who don't read on vacation lose reading skills and it takes four months to catch up, according to findings from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. But, the Philadelphia Free Library knows how to entice people to read.

An exciting part of the Summer Reading Game is the 20 Million Minute Challenge… daring children and teens to read as much as they can, together reaching a whopping total of 20 million minutes. Minutes will be tracked on the Library homepage, FreeLibrary.org, and on a poster at Library Central, 1901 Vine Street, to keep everyone current.

Another innovation is the Summer Reading Game Online where, at home or away, anyone can participate. Kids, teens and adults can create their own user names and passwords and write online book reviews, eligible for prizes.

Visit your neighborhood library now for information.