Kaubisch kicking off summer reading challenge

FOSTORIA — Kaubisch Memorial Public Library's Youth Services Department launched their summer reading challenge, "Unearth a Story," on Thursday, May 28, with the Dino Party Summer Reading Kick-off Party. The festivities served as the official start to the library's summer reading program, which started May 11 and ends Aug. 8. The reading challenge aims to prevent the academic slide students face during the summer months by promoting fun educational and literacy opportunities to encourage engagement all summer long. Children of all ages enjoyed an array of dinosaur-themed activities such as a dinosaur obstacle course, crafts, games, face painting and fossil digging. They were even visited by Kaubisch's friendly dinosaur, Dinah. Young readers and their families are encouraged to sign up online or in person for the reading challenge to track any reading that they do in any way. Upon registration, children receive treats, bookmarks and two raffle tickets to start their summer reading journey. Children earn additional raffle tickets for every two hours of reading, checking out a certain number of books and attending the library's multitude of programs that are offered for free all summer long. Raffle tickets can be put towards over 20 prizes, including a scooter, Kindle Fire, tickets to visit the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus and more. In addition to the challenge, the Fostoria library has a summer schedule jam-packed with programs and events that are free and open to the public. Upcoming events include a collaboration with the Armstrong Air & Space Museum on Monday, June 1, where children can learn about Neil Armstrong and how airplanes fly, and weekly crafting events for children and teens on Wednesdays. Kaubisch Memorial Public Library is also offering summer long programming including three park districts, a magician, Dino-Roar!, WBGU PBS, Cleveland Aquarium, Armstrong Air & Space Museum and the Toledo Zoo. A full calendar of events and summer-long programs can be found on the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library website.