The 2013 Summer Reading Program at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library starts June 21. This year’s event is entitled “Dig Into Reading,” a program designed for children to explore their world through books. It will allow for an opportunity to meet new characters and animals and learn about their habits, diets, and much more.

Children can explore animals from Mexico to Russia, and have fun while they learn. The library has purchased two new series in anticipation of this year’s theme, including 26 volumes of animal books and a 52-volume set of Nature’s Children, books about animals and their lifestyles.

The summer reading program is open to young people, preschool through grade 6. Families of non-readers are invited to join the Read-to-Me portion of the program.

In this segment parents are encouraged to read aloud as a family unit, providing the children a way to hear stories of interest that would not otherwise be available to them. It also can foster confidence in the reluctant readers, who are less intimidated knowing they will be reading with someone.

This year’s program will be supported again by both the Seaside Lodge and Bay View Lodge of Masons, as well as the Crescent Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. Last summer, both Lodges and the Crescent Chapter participated in the National Bikes for Books program, and they plan to do the same this year.

The children are encouraged to read and enter often … the more you read, the better your chances of winning a bike. Just ask our 21 winners from last year. These winners from last year’s program are encouraged to show their gratitude, if possible, by riding their new bikes and wearing their new helmets in the Windjammer Parade on Wednesday, June 26.

For more information, call the library at 207-633-3112 and ask for Mary or Barb.