Summer reading is in full swing at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 

From June 1 to Aug. 31, the library offers summer reading for people of all ages. The program is broken into three age groups: kids (newborn to fifth grade), teens (sixth through 12th grade) and adults (18 and over). 

The process is simple: kid and teen participants are given a free book, bag, reading log and calendar of events when they sign up, according to the library’s website. 

Kids can color in one space of their reading log for each day that they read or listen to a book between June 1 and Aug. 31. After July 15, they can turn in their log to get another free book. 

Teens can turn in their reading log or complete a bonus activity log to win another free book and to earn an entry for the teen prize drawing. If both logs are completed, teens are given a bonus entry for the prize drawing. 

According to Andrew Cherbas, the library’s deputy director for public services, summer reading encourages literacy in the community.

“I know people are looking for options that carry on and promote literacy, and that really is the main focus. That’s always been the main focus of summer reading: bridging that gap between the end of school and (the) start of school again, and continuing the reading and literacy throughout the summer months,” Cherbas said. 

While much of the library’s summer reading program is directed towards improving literacy among kids and teens, adults are still welcomed to participate. 

Adults, upon signing up, are given a free library tote bag and a reading log. Adults can track the days that they read and the activities that they complete to earn points, the library’s website states. Once they have earned at least 10 points, they can claim a free book and will be entered into a prize drawing. Logs can be returned until Sept. 10. 

To participate in the summer reading program, sign-ups are available at the library service desks at the Corvallis, Monroe, Alsea or Philomath branches of the library.  

“We just truly appreciate the support of the community, because they’ve always supported the program really well,” Cherbas said.

For ideas of what to read this summer, check out the library’s staff picks, books by local authors or list of banned and challenged books.