May brings ramp-up of Summer Reading Program at library

Exciting things are happening at Tiffin-Seneca Public Library! While May is typically a slower month for us, we have several exciting events leading up to the start of our Summer Reading Program, including "Book & Tea Tasting" for teens at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 14, and a "Dino Dance Party" for children five and under at 10 a.m. Friday, May 22. T-SPL will kick off our Summer Reading Program on Friday, May 29 at the East Green Amphitheater. Sign-ups and free refreshments will be available beginning at 5 p.m., with an interactive science show with Dr. Dave from Whiz Bang Science Show starting at 6 p.m. that will be fun for the entire family! This year's Summer Reading Program theme is Unearth a Story, which highlights the joy and sense of discovery that reading brings. The program will officially run from June 1 through July 31 and is designed to inspire and engage readers of all ages to "dig" into a good book, explore the past, or discover the exciting programs that T-SPL has to offer. Participants will be eligible to select a free book upon registration (while supplies last), be entered to win exciting prizes — such as gift cards to local businesses — and receive a prize upon completing the program. At T-SPL, we are especially passionate about our summer youth programming, providing engaging and memorable experiences that encourage continued learning throughout the summer. Research shows that during summer breaks, children can experience what is called the "summer slide," losing an average of twenty percent of their progress in reading and math. By participating in the Summer Reading Program, children are able to keep their reading sharp and maintain their reading skills during that time off from school. We also encourage parents to participate in the Summer Reading Program, as modeling good reading habits and reading for fun can help encourage a lifelong love of reading for their child. T-SPL also has exciting teen programming for this year's Summer Reading Program, including our weekly "Teen Tuesday" program, where teens can enjoy snacks, socialize, and play games, including on our Nintendo Switch. T-SPL will also offer its "Teen Art Club" every other Thursday, starting June 11 at 2 p.m., as well as programming throughout the summer such as "Intro to Junk Journaling," a "Race to Escape" escape room-style game, and movie nights. We are grateful for the continued support of The Friends of Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, The Tiffin-Seneca Library Foundation, and donors, whose continued support makes this programming possible. You can stay up-to-date on all library programs by visiting the online calendar at www.tiffinsenecalibrary.org or checking out the library's Facebook page. We hope to see you at the library this summer — we have something for everyone! Erin Debo is the Head of Teen Services at Tiffin-Seneca Public Library.