Cerritos Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program

The ’s 37^th Summer Reading Program kicks off on Monday, June 27, with registration available for library cardholders until Sunday, July 3.  The program, sponsored by the Friends of the Cerritos Library, encourages children, teens and adults to read throughout the summertime and awards readers with prizes for the completion of the reading requirements. 

"We want to encourage the kids to read in the summer, especially the young kids so they don't forget their vocabulary," said librarian Padmini Prabhakar. "It's a good habit to have throughout the year, and not just only during the summer."

 The children’s program, themed “Reading is Sweet: Ice Cream for Books,” encourages children from babies to age 11 to read at least 30 minutes a day. The young adult’s program for ages 12-17, themed “Pizza for the Mind: Take Home A Book,” along with the adult’s program for ages 18 and older, themed “Indulge in a Book,” ask participants to complete four books during the summer. The books can be fiction or non-fiction and in the language of their choice. 

Readers must log their completed books in order to receive weekly prizes for their efforts, and a paperback book will be given to all participants at the end of the program. Last year, a total of 1,000 children participated in the program, along with 250 teens and 600 adults. 

The Friends of the Cerritos Library, which supports the use of the library and its services through donations and projects, played a huge part in making this annual summer program happen with a $15,000 donation to the library.

Aside from the reading program, the library will also be hosting summer reading events weekly for all ages.  Programs for children happen every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., and scheduled events include a magic show and a puppet art theater show. For young adults, a presentation that analyzes personality based on handwriting is available; for adults, presentations include ones by critically acclaimed authors Gregg Herwitz and Jerri Westerson.  Movies will also be shown every Monday afternoon at 3 p.m.  

"I like it because it's fun and educational at the same time," said Sarah Li, who has participated in the program for the past four years and plans to register for the young adult program this year."You get to choose what books to read instead of just reading what the school tells you to read."  

Some of these events require pre-registration due to limited seating. Individuals who do not have library cards may attend the events, but Cerritos residents have priority for event registration. Residents may register on the first of every month; non-residents may register starting the on the 8^th. The full schedule of events is available here.

To register for the summer reading program and events, click here. For more library information, visit their website.