Greensburg — The Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library is gearing up for the biggest event of the year, Summer Reading!

The Kick-off date is Wednesday, May 23 and begins at 4 p.m.

Stop by the library for a chance to register, have refreshments, and make a craft.

Be sure and stick around to see the "creatures of the night" that Coyote Chris from Silly Safaris will bring to share at 6 p.m.

This program is open to everyone and no registration is required.

Community members of all ages can sign up to read and earn prizes by stopping by the library or visiting the website at www.greensburglibrary.org on or after May 23.

Research shows that kids who read through the summer do better the following school year. Summer reading loss or "summer setback" can be a problem when school begins in the fall. Studies suggest that children who read as few as six books over the summer maintain the level of reading skills they achieved during the preceding school year. Reading more books leads to even greater success.

A visit to http://linda-wongkee.suite101.com/summer-slide--loss-of-learning-on-summer-break-a218969 explains that summer setback is the loss of academic skills over the summer holidays. As the old saying goes, if you don't use it, you lose it.

Studies show that children who don't have academically stimulating summer environments, in fact, can have lower reading and math skills when they return to school in September. Parents can combat the setback regardless of their financial status. Simply being aware that children need to be challenged and engaged during the summer vacation months can go a long way in preventing summer slide. It does not require a great deal of time or money to cultivate learning in the summer. Here are some summer ideas to engage children.

Visit the local library regularly.

Go to free museum days.

Limit television and computer use to educational sites.

Opt for a zoo or science center visit, instead of an amusement park.

Plant a garden or start a compost.

Read street signs, menus and maps.

Fortunately, the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library provides books and programming to help you!

Lap Sit, Toddler Time and Story Time resume in June. These programs are for kids ages six months to  six years. Space is limited, so be sure and sign up early.

The overall theme for this year's Summer Reading Program is Night. The Children's Room has a lot of fun planned for the summer with the theme of Dream Big, Read! Plan to register the kids for one or all of these events:

May 25: Cool Cupcakes Ð Tween Program Ð grades 3 -5

May 29: Glow in the Dark T-shirt Craft Ð grades 1-5

May 30: Tom Sparough the Space Painter and his "Big Trick" Juggling show Ð all ages

May 31: Summer Spa Day for Girls Ð grades 1 Ð 5 and an all-day Make and Take Craft Crown or Visor

June 5: Be Careful What You Wish For Ð grades 1 Ð 5

June 6: Addie Hirschten and her "Fantastic Fables" Ð all ages

June 7: Super Hero Party Just for Boys Ð grades 1 Ð 5

June 8: Family Movie Program Ð all ages

June 12: Over the Moon for Summer Ð grades 1 - 5       

June 13: Life Size Candyland Game Ð

June 14: All Day Make and Take Craft Ð Father's Day Card

June 15: Learn to Juggle Tween Program Ð grades 3 Ð 5

June 20: Ronald McDonald Live! Ð all ages

June 21: All Day Make and Take Craft Ð Silly Sunglasses

June 22: Family Program Ð TBA

June 26: "Night Owls" program Ð grades 1 Ð 5

June 27: Family Program Ð TBA and the Summer Reading Pool Party

June 28: All Day Make and Take Craft Ð "Hat's On"

June 30: Teddy Bear Sleepover Breakfast Ð grades preschool Ð Kindergarten

The fun isn't just for kids! Teens can participate in the Summer Reading Program, too. The theme for Teens is Own the Night. There are several programs planned for Teens in grades 6 to 12. Most of those programs are on Teen Thursday.

Check these out!

May 24: I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost! Ð Movie Day

May 31: Create an "Own the Night" Summer Reading T-shirt

June 7: "Summer Dreamin" Wii and Board Game Day

June 14: "Create Sweet Dreams" Dreamcatcher and Pillow Case Craft

June 19: Balloon Satellite Launch Workshop Ð funded by Eco15 and The Decatur County Community Foundation

June 21: Balloon Satellite Launch Ð open to the public

June 28: Toolbox Jewelry Craft Program

July 5: Shake up your Summer Milkshake program

Adults can get Between the Covers of a good book and earn prizes of their own including tanning sessions, car wash certificates, a Thirty-One gift certificate, tickets to the Indianapolis Symphony, Playhouse in the Park and a certificate for Watkin's Carpet Cleaning.

More details about prizes and program rules will be available at the library and at greensburglibrary.org.

Don't just spend your summer dreaming about fun things to do. Stop by the library to check out our collection of books, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, computer lab, etc.

You can "Dream Big" and learn something new, "Own the Night" by kicking back with a good book or movie, and get "Between the Covers" of the latest bestseller.

It's your library, check us out!