With summer beginning and students exiting their virtual schools, there will be an increased gap in the learning process. The Harris County Public Library's virtual Summer Reading Program fills that gap by helping students and parents combat the summer slide. HCPL will present online programs for all ages from community partners like Books Alive! Da Camera, Ensemble Theater and more.

Registration is open now. visit www.hcpl.net for details.

The Show Will Go On! HCPL Summer Reading Program Goes Virtual

 In the face of ongoing concerns about coronavirus and the prospect of limited public access to its 26 branch locations, Harris County Public Library (HCPL) has announced that its hugely popular annual Summer Reading Program (SRP) will go virtual this year. HCPL will present its usual wide variety of fun, educational entertainment for all ages entirely online. Programs will be a mix of live and pre-recorded content presented on the library’s Facebook page (@harriscountypl) and website starting June 1 and running through August 1.

Bringing the Library into the Home

“Of course, we always love seeing all the smiling faces at events, and we will miss that terribly,” said Jennifer Schwartz, HCPL’s Programming Services Manager, “But online programming has some advantages even beyond public health concerns. Going virtual this summer means that every one of our 26 branches is as close as a smart phone or computer. All Summer Reading events will be accessible no matter where you live across Harris County.”

Each week this summer, Harris County Public Library staff will present kick off video highlighting the focus of upcoming programs, offering reading recommendations, and motivating Summer Reading Program participants to reach their reading goals.

In addition to online programming, Harris County residents can receive free Take & Make Activity Kits when the library's no-contact curbside pickup service resumes. Activity kits will give customers of all ages a chance to build their own stories as they explore weekly themes like music, games, magic, adventure, health and fitness, STEM, art and storytelling. Kits will be distributed on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

Harris County Public Library is partnering again this summer with Houston Food Bank to offer families free nutritious meals. Meals will be distributed through no-contact, curbside pick-up Monday – Friday, 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm from June 10 – August 1 at all HCPL branches except LSC – CyFair Branch Library and LSC-Tomball Community Library whose campuses will remain closed throughout the summer.

Interruption of School Year Makes Summer Reading Even More Important.

HCPL’s Summer Reading Program is designed to stop the “summer slide,” which is the tendency of many students to lose some reading skills over the long summer break. The interruption of the school year caused by the coronavirus pandemic makes the need to combat the “summer slide” more urgent than ever. “With its mix of high-quality programming, hands-on activities and incentives to read for pleasure, HCPL’s Summer Reading Program keeps kids, teens and even grownups engaged and motivated to learn,” said Schwartz.

“Imagine Your Story”

This year’s Summer Reading Program theme is “Imagine Your Story.” Programs will encourage readers to explore the worlds of myth, fairytales and fantasy, and emphasize the crucial role of imagination in creating life stories.

“Taking the Summer Reading Program online is a new adventure, a new chapter for the library,” said Schwartz, “And the enthusiasm and can-do attitude of many longtime community partners like Ensemble Theater, Da Camera, Apollo Chamber Players, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Books Alive and too many others to name, has been truly gratifying.”

Register now for Harris County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program at https://hcpl.beanstack.org/. Follow @HarrisCountyPL on social media.

 About Harris County Public Library: 

The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) mission is to provide information and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities through innovative services within and beyond our walls. The Library has an annual circulation of over 10 million items and is a network of 26 community-focused branch libraries is committed to providing excellent customer service, strong collections, and cutting-edge information technology for the 21st Century.  Visit www.hcpl.net for more information