RUMFORD — The Rumford Public Library’s Summer Reading Program will begin June 28. The program is open to children of all reading abilities, from pre-school through age 14.

Area young people are invited to “Bam! Pow! Read!” during the Summer Reading Program “Every Hero Has a Story” at the Rumford Public Library. 

Several area businesses and the Portland Sea Dogs are working together with the Rumford Library to add encouragement through incentives to the 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 caregiver. Participants in the program will have four weeks, from June 28-July 25 to meet their reading goals. Each week that a reader meets the appropriate goal, they will receive coupons for Subway and Pizza Hut as well as other reading incentives. Those reading all four weeks will receive coupons from Frosty Delight in Mexico. Certificates to Sam’s Italian Sandwich shop will be given away during the final program. The Summer Reading Awards Celebration for those who participate in the reading program will take place on Wednesday, July 29, following KP Focus Karate studio’s presentation.

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 on Wednesdays, July 1-29 at 2 p.m., is also available in the Children’s Room and at the main desk.