School is winding down and kids everywhere are thinking of all the fun things they can do this summer. How about travel around the world?

Boyd County Public Library has tons of fun programs planned to keep kids reading and learning all summer – and everything is free.

“One World, Many Stories,” for toddlers through age 12, kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Main Branch.

Coyote Chris and Silly Safaris will bring their animal friends from around the world. Then, starting Monday, programs at the Ashland, Catlettsburg and Kyova branch will highlight a different continent each week.

Also, on Fridays at noon at Main, we’ll be showing family travel-themed movies, complete with snacks.

Teens have their own program, called “You Are Here,” with activities and crafts on Mondays at 4 p.m. at Kyova, or Tuesdays at 4 p.m. at Main. Both youth and teens earn cool rewards for the time they spend reading this summer.

We haven’t forgotten the adults. “Novel Destinations” is their program, and rewards are given based on the number of books read.

The adult summer reading program runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Each book read also enters adults into the grand prize drawing for two tickets on the New River Train this fall.

Studies show that summer reading programs have a very positive effect on children’s literacy skills. When families read together, children develop a love of books and reading that lasts a lifetime.

That’s why BCPL offers programs for all ages, and we’ve even added a new family program that everyone can attend together, on Saturday mornings at Kyova.

Registration for all the programs is easy, and can be done at www.thebookplace.org, or by filling out a registration form at any branch.

Hope to see you this summer at The Library. We guarantee you a world of fun!

Amanda Gilmore is the community relations coordinator for the Boyd County Public Library.