Christine Grant

Summer is coming and once again Neuse Regional Libraries are offering its communities fun and educational programs for children, teens, and adults.   

The "Choose Your Own Summer Adventure" program is a six-week summer reading program focused on engaging children and their families in the library.  Each week children will expand their horizons with pirate expeditions, ocean voyages, and adventures through time and space with unique weekly program sessions. Children will earn prizes for attending programs and for keeping a reading log throughout the summer.

Registration for the children’s and teens’ Summer Reading Programs begins on June 1.  You can register for the program by visiting the Neuse Regional Libraries’ READsquared website at http://neuselibrary.readsquared.com/.  Alternatively, families can download the READsquared app available on android and apple devices.  Search for Neuse Regional Libraries and then register for the Choose Your Own Adventure program specific to your library (GC, JC, KL, LG, or PH).  Everyone who registers for the children’s program will receive a canvas drawstring bag featuring this year’s theme. 

Every child is challenged to read for at least 10 hours this summer.  Minutes can be recorded on the READsquared app, website, and/or on a paper reading log provided by the Library.  The paper reading log encourages children to meet the 10-hour goal by having them mark off compasses representing time segments. For every 15 minutes they read, they can mark off one compass on their log.  When they mark off 4 compasses they will complete a block signifying one hour of reading. When they do that nine more times they will have read 10 hours and be considered a Reading Achiever!  Reading Achievers will receive a $5 gift card to a local ice cream parlor. 

In addition to the reading portion of the program, the Library is hosting weekly sessions at all of its locations.  Each session will last about 45 minutes and will include stories, games, STEM, and other learning activities. Children will receive a prize from a treasure box each time they attend a session.  Sessions begin the week of June 13 and run through the end of July. 

Locations and Program Schedule:

Greene County Public Library:  Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.

Jones County Civic Center:  Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.

Pollocksville Public Library: Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.

Trenton Public Library: Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.

Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.; Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.

Pink Hill Public Library: Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.

La Grange Public Library Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.

Maysville Public Library: Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.

Comfort Public Library: Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.

The Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library will also be hosting special sessions for camps.  Local camps are invited to attend weekly on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. starting June 13 and running through the end of July. Program space is limited so registration is required. 

Teen Summer Reading Programs are held at the Kinston-Lenoir County and La Grange Public Libraries Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. and at the Pink Hill Public Library on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. from July 13th through July 29. Programs include STEM Kitchen, Pirate Capture the Flag, Animation Lab, and a Live-Action Roleplay Escape Room Challenge.  Teens who attend select programs can participate in spinning a wheel for mystery prizes. Teens who complete the program through a combination of reading and attending programs will be eligible for the grand-prize drawings for one of three $25.00 Amazon gift cards.

For more information about the Summer Reading Program, please call the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library at 252-527-7066 ext. 138.