Summer reading program

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The Summer Reading Program is held for all ages from June 1 through Aug 1, with kick-off parties taking place at most library branches to celebrate the program

The intent of the Summer Reading Program is to encourage school-aged children to continue reading throughout the summer to keep their reading skills fresh. In addition to maintaining learning through the summer, Baker said the program is to promote reading for enjoyment and pleasure

“It’s about instilling that life-long love of reading and getting kids reading for enjoyment,” she said

As part of instilling that love, every child and teen will receive a free book, which they get to choose from the library

“A couple of weeks ago we bought 20,000 copies of books that go out to all of our branches in English and Spanish The kids can choose what they want and take their free book,” Baker said, adding that they can also find more books to check out at the library, log their reading, do kindness Bingo and win fun prizes

This year, the library system is doing a soft program opening at most of its branches, with regular programming beginning the following week on June 12

“All summer long you can expect special programs I am excited about the variety that we are bringing to the community this year,” she said

The Summer Reading Program offers three layers,

From page 6 with the first being the reading challenge, which can be done through READsquared, an app that can be downloaded Participants can complete online mission challenges and activities, as well as log the books they have read to receive points Games will become unlocked at various thresholds

If a participant receives 500 points through reading or missions, Baker said they are eligible for branch drawings, which are split among birth to 5 years old; kids 6 to 11 years old, teens 12 to 18 years old; and adults 18 years old or older

The winners will be drawn the week of Aug 7 The prizes include board and picture books for birth to 5 years old; 2023-24 Sunshine State Young Reader Award and Jr Award titles for kids 6 to 11 years old; 2023-24 Florida Teens Read books and popular titles for teens 12 to 18 years old; and popular donated titles for adults 18 and older There also are an assortment of puzzles, science kits, journals and more included in the prize baskets

“They are all really awesome Every branch has the same prize package. Pick a branch and participate,” Baker said

Those who would rather do the paper challenge can drop by a library and pick up the sheet that includes both English and Spanish The paper challenge includes a kindness Bingo, which is for every age group from pre-K to adults The idea is to complete five tasks in a row, just like a Bingo board through various activities Individuals can also read for an hour and mark off one of the Bingo squares

Spring wildlife activity

∫ Bats: Spring is when bats start to give birth and raise their young Bat maternity season started on April 15 and runs through Aug 15 During this time, it is illegal to block bats from their roosts If bats are excluded during maternity season, flightless baby bats can be trapped inside the structure and die

∫ Gopher tortoises: Spring days are a good time to spot a gopher tortoise, as Florida’s only native tortoise becomes more active, foraging for food and searching for a mate If you see gopher tortoises o r t h e i r h a l f - m o o n s h a p e d b u r r o w entrances, it is best to leave them alone You can help a gopher tortoise cross a road by picking it up and placing it in a safe location along the roadside in the direction it was heading. But only do this if it is safe for you to do so and remember the tortoise is a land animal, so never attempt to put it into water

∫ Injured and orphaned wildlife: If you find a baby animal, it is best to leave

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“Once you get a Bingo, it is equivalent to getting 500 points in READsquare,” she said

The special programs are scheduled throughout June and July for youths She encourages individuals to visit leelibrary net/events, as the programs include registration due to their popularity

“Check the online calendar of events and register ahead of time to guarantee a spot It’s only guaranteed to the start of the show. We want to fill the room to capacity If they still have spots they might let you in,” Baker said “These presenters, we block them in groups of 10 programs If it is full at one and you’re willing to drive, there’s always an alternative There are four days of programming for each presenter ”

A new program, the Joshua J Superstar Show, features comedy, circus stunts and a great deal of audience participation GiGi and Friends, another favorite, features GiGi and her dog SuperZeus The act will feature comedy, magic, dog tricks, sing-alongs and circus Another fun program features Adams Animal Encounters with wildlife biologist Adam Pottruck. A teen program, Bunny Yoga and Mindfulness, will feature both yoga and free roaming bunnies to pet Others include storytellers, dance parties, bubbles and live theater

In addition to the programs, the library branches will have self directed activities and a variety of different crafts during the Summer Reading Program

For more information, visit www leelibrary net/summer

From page 6 i t a l o n e Y o u n g a n i m a l s a r e r a r e l y orphaned; a parent may be nearby searching for food You can report common wildlife you think could be injured or orphaned to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator People can also contact the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel at 239-472-3644, Ext 222 For further guidance, you can also contact the nearest FWC Regional Office

∫ Manatees: As manatees leave their winter habitats and travel the waterways along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and other inland waters, chances of close encounters between manatees and boaters increase Go slow and look out below for manatees when boating or using personal w a t e r c r a f t F o r b o a t e r s a n d p e r s o n a l watercraft users, it is a critical time to be on the lookout for manatees to avoid collisions with the large aquatic mammals Boaters should follow posted speed limits as many areas have seasonal zones in spring that reflect manatee migration pat- terns

∫ Nesting waterbirds: Keep your distance from birds on the beach or on the water If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close Disturbance can cause birds to abandon their nesting sites, which exposes their eggs and chicks to predators, sun exposure and other harm Because shorebirds and seabirds build well-camouflaged shallow nests out of sand and shells on beaches, their nests, eggs and chicks are vulnerable to being stepped on unless people look out for them Wading birds, such as herons and egrets, and pelicans also are nesting now on mangroves and tree islands

∫ Sea turtles: The large marine turtles start nesting on Florida beaches in spring

You can help by keeping beaches dark at night and free of obstacles during their March through October nesting season Artificial lighting can disturb nesting sea turtles and disorient hatchlings, so avoid using flashlights or cellphones on the beach at night Turn out lights or close curtains and shades in buildings along the beach after dark to ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed Clear away boats and beach furniture at the end of the day and fill in holes in the sand that could entrap turtles.

∫ Snakes: Keep an eye out for snakes in your yard or when hiking, as they could b e e n c o u n t e r e d m o r e a s t h e w e a t h e r warms What should you do if you come upon a native snake? Just give them space Snakes do not purposefully position themselves to frighten people and usually try to avoid encounters

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t MyFWC com/News and click on “Spring Wildlife News ”

If you witness someone committing a w i l d l i f e v i o l a t i o n , c a l l t h e F W C ’ s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text 847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” and information about the violation