Be a hero. Read a book.
The Hawaii State Public Library System kicks off its annual summer reading program next month, and as in years past, it comes with a central theme. It’s fitting, given the “Hero’s Journey” theme that runs through literature around the world.
“Not just superheroes,” Susan Nakata, state director of library development services, said. “Everyday heroes, like first-responders, military — and we’re encouraging people to find a hero in themselves.”
The programs are free for all participants, and run through mid-July. Check with your local library for registration dates.
Though the Heroes theme extends to the craft projects, games and prizes offered throughout the summer, its focus remains squarely on the libraries’ greatest asset: books.
Summer is an opportunity to move beyond the requirements of schoolwork and spark interest in reading for its own sake.
“The summer (program), you can read for fun, whatever you want to read,” said Hilo children’s librarian Marsha Paulin.
“The whole point of summer reading in the beginning was to prevent summer slide,” Nakata said. “Summer slide” describes a dropoff in academic skills during months when kids and teens aren’t in school.
“We try to reach them (the schools) before they dismiss the kids,” Nakata said. “We try to get into the classrooms, in the high school newspapers, and try to catch them before they leave school to encourage coming to the library.”
Summer reading has a long history in Hawaii’s libraries. The statewide children’s program was established in 1967.
“It’s our biggest literacy push, and it’s our most beloved program,” Nakata said.
A teen program was added in 1992, and an adult program kicked off in 2007. The addition of the adult program makes summer reading “a family affair,” Nakata said. Last year, more than 3,700 people at Hawaii Island’s 12 libraries participated.
In order to earn weekly incentives — everything from school supplies to an activity kit featuring Super Library-Ann and Captain Read-A-Lot — each participant must read at least one book per week.
In the statewide system, readers in all three programs finished more than 355,000 books.
“We hope that people will enjoy it, and that they’ll come to the libraries as families,” Nakata said.
Summer reading is funded via corporate sponsorship, as well as grants from the nonprofit Friends of the Library of Hawaii group. The Friends grant this year was more than $100,000, Nakata said, and covers just about everything, from program promotion to development of materials.
Boxes filled with supplies and promotional items are shipped out from Oahu, headed for all 50 of Hawaii’s libraries.
“We try to put everything in the box,” Nakata said. “All they need to do is open it up.”
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.