Beaverton Youth Summer Reading Program Registration Ends July 24

BEAVERTON, OR — To encourage summer reading, the Beaverton City Library is offering kids, tweens, and teens prizes in exchange for 15 hours of logged reading time between June 1 and Aug. 20.

To sign up for the city's summer reading program, youths must sign up online or in person before July 24. Last year, city officials said, more than 7,700 Beaverton kids participated in the program. This year's theme is "Build a Better World," which according to Library Director Abigail Elder was chosen to help encourage building stronger ties to our neighbors, communities, and the world around us.

Typically chosen years in advance and conveyed to participating libraries across the country through each state's library system, the theme is not meant to be a response to the current U.S. political climate, Elder said.

"It's an overarching theme of being good neighbors and building a better community," she told Patch on Wednesday. "It's about individuals, communities, and the world — really on a global level — making everything better."

After completing the full 15 hours of reading time, participants will receive a free paperback book and coupons for free food and activities. But the 15 hours must be completed by Aug. 20.

Kids can sign up at www.BeavertonLibrary.org/SRP, or by visiting either the Beaverton City Library Main, 12375 S.W. Fifth St., or the Murray Scholls branch at 11200 S.W. Murray-Scholls Pl.

The program is based on the honor system but allows for kids to read fiction, non-fiction, ebooks, comic books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs (or Patch News), so long as it's done for a total of 15 hours. And as part of the amnesty to encourage reading and eliminate barriers, all children's library materials are free from overdue fines at all Washington County Collaborative Library Services facilities, including the Beaverton City Library.

Additionally, officials said, the library also offers free events for all ages, though some events require registration.

To register, visit www.BeavertonLibrary.org/Register, or call 503-350-3600. More information can be found at the Beaverton City Library website, or by calling 503-644-2197.

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