Summer Reading Kickoff

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah­­—Blasting rockets, spaceship flight simulators and space floats are pretty entertaining.

So is a good book.  

The County Library will be celebrating the start of its Summer Reading Challenge on Friday, May 31, from 6–9 pm. The Kickoff will include family friendly activities and entertainment, and delicious dining options from local food trucks. Reading records will also be available at the event, at any County Library branch or online at thecountylibrary.org/summer.

“Like Summer Reading, this event is meant for everyone,” said Tyler Curtis, manager of the Library’s Viridian Event Center. “Food trucks will line the road near the amphitheater. We’ll have karaoke, face painters, a dunk tank, trivia, a K9 demonstration, a miniature planetarium and tons of other fun things to do. And, of course, we’ll have Summer Reading sign-ups.”

Other planned activities include roving entertainment from Yo-Yo Man and magician Amazing Adam, laser tag and Operation Cosmic Quest. The night will wrap up with a dusk showing of WALL-E in the park.

Participants of all ages will be challenged to read as many books and perform as many activities (Read, Create, Learn, Play, Connect) as possible during the summer, and will be awarded prizes including free books, entry into a prize drawing and a ticket to Library Days at the Natural History Museum of Utah.

In addition to these prizes, finishers receive discounted vouchers for Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Centers and Pools this summer and Utah Grizzlies games this fall.

 
Participants are also encouraged to simultaneously participate in Salt Lake County’s ZAP Kids Summer Passport, June 1–August 23, which offers free and discounted activities, events and family friendly locations. Passports are available at the Kickoff or any County Library branch.

One more opportunity to win this summer is the my529® and Utah State Library Book Your Summer program. Readers under 18, who participate in a library summer reading program, may enter for a chance to win a $1,000 my529® scholarship.

This year’s Summer Reading theme is “A Universe of Stories.” A promotional video, titled Librarians in Black—based on the Men in Black music video—is available for viewing on Youtube and the Summer Reading homepage.

Find more out-of-this world library events and programs: thecountylibrary.org/calendar.