PARIS – The Paris Public Library’s annual summer reading program celebrates this year with an Olympic Read-a-Thon for children.

Children of all ages may participate by counting the minutes they read or are read to during their summer vacation break. For every eight hours they accumulate, a child earns a “gold medal,” redeemable in rewards, such as a personal pizza, movie tickets and books. Participants track their reading time progress on “feet” log sheets, which will be posted along the walls of the library’s Children’s Room when completed. The readers may earn up to three gold medals over the program. No sign-up is necessary, and “feet” reading logs are available anytime at the library.

The library also has many activities prepared for the summer. Every Tuesday afternoon, from 2 to 3, Children’s Librarian Billie Lou Damon is offering programs for children ages 7 to 11. Among the activity titles are National Picnic Month (July 8), Anti-Bored Month (July 22), and Stupid Fairy Tales (Aug. 19).

On Thursday mornings at 10, Children’s Librarian Joan Parker is offering programs for children ages 2 to 6. Among her planned activities are Magic Wands & Fairy Tales (July 10), It’s a Buggy World (July 17) and Yo, Ho, Ho Pirates (Aug. 21).

All the library’s activities for children feature sharing books around the weekly theme and doing a related craft. Complete schedules are available at the library or at www.paris.lib.me.us

The library’s book discussion group for children ages 9 to 12, RAD Reads, lead by Children’s Librarian Michaela Batstone, will be meeting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, to share The Wizard of Oz, and, on Aug. 16, the group will meet to discuss a book chosen by the members.

On Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 2 p.m., Seames will present a program on Chinese Folktales and Zodiac. She will also do a program on African Folktales Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m.

The Paris Public Library’s summer programs will wrap-up with a sleep-over starting on Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 a.m. on Aug. 23. Children ages 9 to 12 may bring a sleeping bag and share stories, food and fun. Pre-registration for the sleepover will be required.

For more information about the Olympic Read-a-Thon, please contact the Paris Public Library at 742-6994 or e-mail [email protected].