All branches of the Briggs Lawrence County Library will participate in a summer reading program.

The purpose of the program is to keep children reading during the months away from school, which will help them retain vital skills for the next school year, Jane Gullet, Briggs librarian assistant, said.

“Continued reading helps reinforce the things the kids have learned during the school year,” she said. “If they keep reading they are more likely to retain and recall lessons from the previous year.”

The program is divided into different groups based on age, including programs for toddlers and adults.

“We have a program for toddlers,” Gullet said. “Obviously, they are read to by a parent or an older sibling but reading to them helps promote early literacy skills. It’s important to expose children to reading as early as possible. We also have an adult program because always being a reader just helps keep your mind sharp.”

Rewards for reading over the summer period are granted once participants reach a certain number of books read. For younger children completing 10 picture books during the program will result in a prize, while older children, teens, and adults will be rewarded for reading five books.

“We try and offer incentives,” Gullet said. “Anything we can do to promote reading, that’s what we want to do because it is such an important part of development.”

The summer reading program runs from June 2 to July 31. Those who would like to participate in the program can do so by visiting any of the Briggs Library locations in the county.