“Librarian’s Shelf” by Brad Hruska "Discover New trails at Library This Summer" It is estimated that between 20 to 30% of the reading skills a child acquires during the school year are lost in the summer vacation months.  To maintain their reading level, children must continue to read during the summer.   The Columbus Public Library can help keep children reading through its annual “Summer Reading Program”!  This summer’s theme is “Discovering New Trails @ Your Library.”  Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to discover a number of fun concepts related to Animals, Art, Culture, The Farm, and Sports.  In addition to reading the books that they have checked out, children enrolled in the “Summer Reading Program” will be able to participate in activities at the Library on Monday through Thursday for the months of June and July.  Every Monday, an adventure movie will be shown in the library’s auditorium.  On Tuesdays, there will be educational as well as interactive programs given by groups and organizations such as the Humane Society, local 4-H Clubs, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire Department, and the Columbus YMCA.  Our regular Story Times will be offered on Wednesdays @ 1:30-3 p.m. and Thursdays @ 10:30-noon.  Each week, someone from the community will be invited to read from books chosen to correspond with that week’s theme.  Fridays are set aside for parents and children to visit the library on their own and check out additional books.     Reading incentives will be offered to the students who participate in the program.  Children who sign up will receive a bag, bookmark, and reading log.  Each week, the younger children must read one book from our “Easy” collection.  Children in the upper grades will read 30 pages from a suitable grade-level book.  When they complete that task, they will have earned a prize.  Prizes are as varied as gift certificates from local community businesses to bouncy galactic rock balls! The Summer Reading Program will conclude with an ice cream party for those who have completed the program.  This will also be the time to see if the Children’s Librarian, Mr. H., will get drenched in a dunking tank as part of the Summer Reading Challenge.  This summer’s challenge is to have the participants read a combined total of 100,000 pages.  If this goal is met, Mr. H will be dunked!  To kick the program off, Columbus Public Library will be hosting a Magic Show by the very talented and funny Jeff Quinn in the art gallery Friday, May 28th at 1 p.m.  Registration for the Summer Reading Program begins Tuesday, June 1, and runs all summer.  The fun and activities will then start Monday, June 7th.  If you have any questions regarding the Summer Reading Program, contact Mr. Hruska at 564-7116. So mark your calendars and plan to attend Columbus Public Library’s Summer Reading Program:  “Discovering New Trails @ Your Library.”