For the second year in a row, the Flathead County Library System is celebrating Teen Read Week. From Oct. 15-20, any teenager who checks out at least one item will receive a coupon worth up to $10 that can eliminate fines. The coupon can be used immediately or saved for another visit.
“Teens have more activities than ever to fill their free time – social networking, after-school activities, athletics – and increasingly high expectations in the classroom,” Youth Services Librarian Martha Furman said in a statement. “It’s important that we show them that reading is something that’s fun and relaxing that they can do for free. And it’s great that reading for fun can also translate into better performance at school.”
Teen Read Week is intended to encourage teens and their families to make use of all the free services the library offers.
Parents also are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week at home. Furman offers these ideas:
— Visit the public or school library with your teen to attend a program or to check out books.
— Set aside time each night for your family to read.
— Give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward.
— Share your favorite book with your teen.
— Go online with your teen to learn about new books or authors. Or ask a librarian for suggestions.
Teen Read Week is held annually during the third week of October. Thousands of libraries, schools and bookstores across the country hold similar celebrations, highlighting the vast array of teen titles available for leisure reading, including graphic novels, fiction, audiobooks, biographies, how-to manuals, magazines and more. Teen Read Week is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association, the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association. More information can be found online.