Still time to sign up for Naperville Public Library reading program

Bookworms throughout the community are already turning pages for this year's Summer Reading Program at Naperville Public Library.

Called "Read for the Win," this summer's reading challenge opened June 1 and will last through Aug. 15.

"We thought 'Read for the Win' was a great theme since the Olympics are taking place this summer," said Anne Bultman, adult and teen services supervisor at the downtown Nichols Library. "It can apply to not only the Olympics, but to any sport. Anyone can relate to it."

Readers of all ages, including infants and their parents, can register to participate at any time throughout the summer - a time when many students are out of school and are encouraged to keep their minds active.

"Children and teens who read over the summer perform 35 percent to 40 percent better on reading achievement tests than those who don't read over the summer," Bultman said.

Whether families are on road trips listening to audiobooks or readers are swinging in hammocks holding a best seller, the reading program motivates people to thumb a good read with incentives. For reading throughout the summer, all reading levels will be able to earn prizes, such as books or coupons.

"Children will be able to shoot baskets when they return a reading log. The spinner will be used to determine the number of tries a child gets," Bultman said, adding that teen and adult readers also will be eligible for end-of-the-summer drawings for extra prizes.

The program is open to everyone, and no library card is required to sign up. To register, stop in at any Naperville Public Library location or visit naperville.readsquared.com.