RUMFORD — The Rumford Public Library summer reading program will begin July 1.

Area young people are invited to “Dig Into Reading!” during the program, which is open to children of all reading abilities, from preschool through age 14.

Reading during the summer months helps children maintain and 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.

Again this year, several area businesses and the Portland Sea Dogs are working together with the Rumford Library to add encouragement through incentives to our young readers.

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 care-giver.) Participants in the program will have four weeks, from Sunday, July 1, through Saturday, Aug. 5, to meet their reading goals.

Each week that a reader meets the appropriate goal, s/he will receive coupons for Subway and Pizza Hut as well as other reading incentives. Those reading all four weeks will receive coupons from McDonald’s and Frosty Delight.

The Summer Reading Awards Celebration for those who participate in the reading program will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 7, following Lori Grassette‘s “Spoons Band” Show.

All readers picking up information packets 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.

More information on the summer reading program, as well as the reading logs for recording reading time, is available at the library. The schedule of events for the library’s Summer Fest activity program, which will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesdays, July 10 through Aug. 7, is also available.