RUMFORD — Area young people are invited to participate in the “One World, Many Stories” summer reading program at the Rumford Public Library. The program is open to children of all reading abilities, from preschool through age 14.

Reading during the summer months helps children enhance their reading and comprehension skills and their vocabulary. As well, younger children develop a positive, enthusiastic attitude towards learning to read when they are read to regularly.

Children are asked to read at least five days per week, for a length of time based upon the child’s age. (Pre-readers may be read to by a parent, older sibling or other caregiver.) Participants in the program will have six weeks, from Sunday, June 26, through Saturday, Aug. 6, to meet their reading goals.

Again this year, local businesses and the Portland Sea Dogs are working together with the library to add encouragement through incentives. Each week a reader meets the appropriate goal, s/he will receive a Subway Achievement Certificate good for a kid’s meal. Readers who meet the goal all six weeks will receive certificates for an ice cream treat from Frosty Delight in Mexico and a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.

After turning in their first completed reading log, readers will receive a voucher good for a free ticket to a Portland Sea Dogs game. Vouchers this year can be used on any of the dates that have been designated as a Sea Dogs Summer Reading Program game date, subject to availability.

The celebration for those who participate in the reading program will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. Final awards and incentives will be given out at that time, followed by refreshments.

More information on the summer reading program, as well as the reading logs for recording reading time, is available at the library.

The activities portion of the library’s Summer Fest program will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the month of July. On Tuesday, July 5, Rob White the Snakeman is at the library with his pet snakes for what has become a favorite annual event. Bitsy Ionta, Mr. Science Guy, will present his hands-on “Gizmos and Gadgets” science program on Thursday, July 7. On July 12, author/storyteller H. Louise Bernstone will share her latest book, “The Bakery Caper,” followed by a related craft activity. Frann Bird will be at the library on Thursday, July 14, with Mother Goose and her special friend, Gertrude.

Elaine Michaud will entertain with “A Little Song and Dance” on Tuesday, July 19. Mary Kaubris and Addy Fuller will be the special guests on Thursday, July 21 with a program yet to be determined. Sue Bousquet and Stacey Holman will bring the “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” to the library on Tuesday, July 26. The Children’s Theatre group, co-directed by Susan DeRoehn and Lisa Picard, will have two performances of “A Bug’s Life” on Thursday, July 28.

This is the 35th year that a summer activities program has been provided for area youngsters by the Rumford Library. As in past years, all events are free of charge and all area youngsters and their friends are welcome to attend the programs.

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