Trails Regional Library is proud to announce that the 2021 Summer Reading Program will be held from June 1 – July 31, 2021. This program is funded by a grant of $7,750 from the Missouri State Library. The program’s theme will be Tails and Tales, featuring animal mascots to encourage reading and writing.
The Library invites readers of all ages to join the Summer Reading Program by registering online or by visiting any of the 8 Trails Regional Library branches in Johnson and Lafayette Counties. Participants can earn points each day for reading, checking out library books, writing stories, and participating in our summer activities. 50 points per day are possible and can be recorded on a weekly log available at the library. Patrons can also choose to participate online through the Library’s Beanstack reading app.
The Tails and Tales program has featured endangered animal mascots: Axolotl, Red Panda, and Quokka. Patrons will work together with their animal teammates to earn the most points each week and all participants can turn in reading logs at the library every week for a small prize. All returned logs will also be entered into a weekly drawing for library prizes.
Special outdoor events will be presented throughout the program. Local entomophagist Paul Landkamer will present Tales of Wild Munchies at each branch and at the Leeton Express Branch. This program will include fun facts about edible backyard bugs and tips for identifying (and eating) wild foods. All presentations will be held outdoors with social distancing.
Kansas City-based Lakeside Nature Center will present multiple programs on Missouri Owls, Opossums, and Reptiles and Amphibians, all with live animals present. All presentations will be held outdoors with social distancing and require advance registration, available online or by calling any Library branch.
Trails Regional Library hosts an annual Summer Reading Program to enhance and expand summer learning experiences and opportunities for underserved populations, especially school-aged children. The main objective of the program is to prevent the “summer slide,” where students lose critical reading skills while out of school during the summer.
This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.