Up for a Challenge?

In the words of American author Garrison Keillor, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

Heeding the words of Keillor, one of the best gifts parents can give their children is a book—or the ability to have endless access to books like those at the Orland Park Public Library. Research shows the importance of reading to children at an early age noting it instills and fosters a love of reading, helps with language development and listening skills, and increases attention spans. The hope, researchers say, is to build the foundation children need in school.

The Youth Services department at the Orland Park Library has a host of programs to pique children’s interests in reading, help them hone their skills, enhance their vocabulary, and much more. One such program, designed for children who are not yet in school, is “1000 Books Before Kindergarten,” a reading challenge that offers special treats and awards for reaching milestones during the challenge.

Participants receive a log to keep track of their progress and each time a child finishes reading a book, he or she can color in one book on the log. When the child reaches 100 books read, the reading log is brought to the Youth Services desk to receive a sticker. Children get a sticker after each 100 books read. Once a child reads 500 books, they receive a special halfway prize snack cup.

When children have completed 1,000 books, they receive a hardcover book with a special bookplate. The child’s picture also is hung on the library’s Wall of Fame.

There is no deadline for the challenge. It ends on the child’s first day of kindergarten.

To enroll in the program, interested persons can stop by the Youth Services desk to pick up the reading log. The only requirement is the participant must have an Orland Park Library card. Don’t have one? Register for a card at the library's site. Or, if you prefer to register in person, the library is located at 14921 Ravinia Ave., and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

For school-aged children, the Orland Park Library has a host of programs and services available to help students do well in school. The “Homework Help” allows 24-hour access to help with homework and other school projects. A library card is needed to use the site, which can be accessed from the library; home or any computer.

For more information on the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” reading challenge or any of the other programs and services offered at the library, stop by or visit the library's website.

In the meantime, remember the words of the late professor Mason Cooley, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”