WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) — Creativity and reading came together Wednesday as children took part in an art activity through the Auglaize County Libraries' Summer Reading Program.
This year's theme, "Unearth a Story," inspired participants to paint dinosaurs using a "resist paint" technique.
Library staff say about 2,600 people have participated in this year's Summer Reading Program across all Auglaize County library branches. They say the program is designed to help children continue reading during the summer months and avoid the "summer slide," a term used to describe learning loss while school is out.
This year's theme, "Unearth a Story," inspired participants to paint dinosaurs using a "resist paint" technique.
"The issue is, kids get out of school and a lot of them stop reading. But we are there to provide that space where they can keep reading throughout the summer. And a lot of times during the school year, they read what they have to. But we are here to get them whatever they want. And so sometimes it can take us several days to find a book that they want, but we're going to find it for them because reading is very important," said Deanna Claybaugh, programming assistant for the Auglaize County Libraries.
The Summer Reading Program continues through July 13.
