This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake County is kicking off its extensive summer reading program for the entire family on Saturday, June 2 with a party in West Jordan. The free event features live music, entertainers, activities, exhibitors, craft activities for kids and a giant inflatable playground and obstacle course. West Jordan Police will visit with the K-9 Unit of police service dogs and the West Jordan Fire Department will bring a fire truck and ambulance. Go HERE for more information.
Children can participate in any of a number of free reading programs this summer along the Wasatch Front. Many programs offer some type of reward for reading as well as fun activities and events. Here are my favorites:
Salt Lake City Library Summer Reading: Go HERE for information about this program, which allows children to earn prizes and attend fun events at libraries throughout the city. The kickoff event for the city's program is Saturday, June 9.
Utah State Fair Read and Win: Children who read 10 books can get a free ticket to the Utah State Fair in September and a voucher for one free carnival ride and a small lemonade. Details of this program are HERE.
Summer Reading Imagination Destination: Children can earn a free book from Barnes & Noble. Details are HERE.
Sylvan Learning Centers: Go HERE to sign up your children for the Book Adventure program by Sylvan Learning Centers. Children can earn prizes, such as Highlights magazine subscriptions, for reading books. (This is an entirely online program.)
Dream Big: Read/Provo: Provo City Library has a summer reading program with prizes, events and an end-of-summer party. Details are HERE.
Dream Big: Read/Tooele: Tooele City Library has a summer reading program with events, activities and rewards. Go HERE for more information.
Davis County Fair Read and Win: Children can earn a free carnival ride or cotton candy at the Davis County Fair by reading 10 books before the fair starts. The fair runs August 15-18. Go HERE for more information.
Governor's Reading Challenge: Each year, the Utah Governor's office offers a summer reading program with prizes for those who log reading hours. The office will post information about this year's program HERE soon.