Overton Library Encouraging Summer Reading In 100-Day Challenge

The Millard Oakley Library doing its part to help prevent a decline in student reading skills over summer break.

Library Director Judith Cutright said a 100-day reading program has begun that rewards consecutive days of reading.

“They just need to read for 20 minutes a day, and we have logs for them to fill out,” Cutright said. “Each time they read they feel out a log. Every two weeks they can bring the log in and we will give them a prize.”

Cutright said on average, students lose 20 percent of reading skills over the summer. Cutright said gaining that back takes about 2 months of class time. Cutright said daily reading can instead help your child grow over the summer.

“Libraries are very important to help prevent that summer slide,” Cutright said. “Any child that does participate definitely has an advantage when they go to school in the fall.”

Cutright said for every completed two-week log, a reader will be submitted into a prize drawing. Cutright said if you achieve 100 consecutive days, you will earn a special reward.

“We are combining this with our summer reading program,” Cutright said. “So if they come to our story times, those books count, as well. We will do story time on Wednesday and Thursdays.”

Cutright said a $2,000 donation from a national humanitarian group called Save the Children is funding the Overton County program. Cutight said logs are available at the library.