By Elizabeth Slates/Contributor
Both the Highland Park Library and the University Park Public Library are holding a variety of summer reading programs that incorporate books, fellowship, and activities.
From May 31 to July 31, the libraries will host events for adults and children that incorporate crafting, magic, volunteering, and literature.
Highland Park Library – Adult Summer Reading:
The Highland Park Library’s adult Color Our World Summer Reading Challenge, open to anyone 18 and up, began on June 1 and will end on July 31.
To complete the challenge, participants must read for 1,000 minutes during June and July, and attend two adult programs hosted by the library. Events include Flutopia: Flute Ensemble Concert, Mark Making: Abstract Landscapes Workshop, and The Dallas Arboretum: Your Garden.
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Those who complete the challenge will be entered into a drawing for rewards such as a Mahjong Line tile set and mat, a gift card to Highland Park Village, and a gift box plus a gift card from Dutch Bros Coffee.
Visit https://www.hptx.org/965/Adult-Summer-Reading or more information and registration instructions.
Highland Park Library – Children and Teen Summer Reading:
The children’s Color Our World Summer Reading Club is available for youngsters up to five years old and readers in first through sixth grade.
Teen summer reading registration is open to ages 10 and up.
Members of both the teen and children’s programs can earn points, badges, and certificates by logging minutes read, activities completed, and events attended on summer reading logs that are available for pick up at the library. These points can be exchanged for prizes. If members are able to log 150 points, a library staffer will choose a book to donate in their name to Hope Cottage, a nonprofit agency that advocates, serves, and empowers children and families going through the process of adoption and foster care.
Visit https://www.hptx.org/648/Summer-Reading-Club for more information and registration instructions.
University Park Public Library – Adult Summer Reading:
At sign up, adults receive a small summer reading notebook and bookmark. They can earn prizes such as a University Park Public Library tumbler, and a chance to win gift cards to area businesses.
University Park Public Library – Children and Teen Summer Reading:
Younger audiences can enjoy events such as a magic show from Jeff Chi-Zam or Mike Williams, and get creative with the Little Artists program or a Texas Rangers story time with crafts. Teens can give back to their community by assembling hygiene supply kits for at-risk and unsheltered teens in Dallas with After 8 to Educate.
Teens can earn points by reading or attending events, and will receive prizes for every 5 hours read or 125 points earned. At sign-up, participants receive a free book, keychain, and color your own felt bookmark. Prizes include mini slinkies, water bottle stickers, stretchy Play-Doh, or a JD’s Chippery cookie coupon.
At sign-up, children receive a yard sign, magic postcard, keychain, stickers, and token with their name to hang in the library. Prizes such as color your own bookmarks, color-changing bracelets, magnetic photo frames, and color your own cups will be awarded for reading 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 books or hours.
After reading 40 hours, children can select a book to be donated to Hope Cottage in their honor.
The Highland Park ISD school whose students read the most hours will be awarded the Readers Cup trophy.
Visit https://uptexas.org/518/Summer-Reading for more information and registration instructions.
