By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

May 29, 2014 – The Santa Monica Public Library is inviting children, teens and parents to participate in its annual Summer Reading Program (SRP) starting on June 4, where participants can earn prizes for the amount of time they spend reading.

This year’s SRP encourages kids and teens to unleash their inner scientists with the themes “Fizz, Boom, Read!” for the children’s program, and “Spark a Reaction” for the teen’s program. 

Beginning Saturday, June 7, kids, teens, and parents of infants can stop by the Main Library located at 601 Santa Monica Boulevard or any one of the four branch locations – Fairview, Montana, Ocean Park, and the new Pico branch – to sign up for one of the four reading programs.

According to library officials, the programs are categorized by age and include: the Baby & Me Club, which is designed for infants age 0 to 17 months and their caregivers; the Read to Me Club, which is reserved for small children age 18 months to 6 years; the Independent Readers Club, which is for slightly more advanced readers of children ages 6 and up; and the Teen Reading Club for teens in grades 6 to 12.

The summer reading program will also have activities for kids and teens at the Main Library and all branch locations throughout the summer, including story times, science shows, puppets shows, magic acts, animal shows, writing workshops, craft programs, music concerts, movie screenings, and much more, said library officials..

According to the American Library Association, studies have shown that summer reading programs help ensure that “children retain reading and learning skills over the summer.”

“Most of all, however, summer reading programs are geared for reading for the fun of it,” said Ann Wagner, Youth Service Librarian.

The summer reading program is made possible through the support from the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library.

For more information on this free public program, and a full schedule of events, visit www.smpl.org or contact the Youth Services Department at (310) 458-8621 during library hours.

The Santa Monica Public Library is wheelchair accessible.  For special disabled services, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606 one week prior to events. Bike racks are available.  The Main Library is served by Big Blue Bus lines 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10.