Assistant Librarian Lara Grunow says there is lots in store this summer at the Okotoks Public Library

Even though the 2014-15 school year is coming to a close in the Foothills, libraries across the region are encouraging kids to continue reading.

The Okotoks Public Library has a full slate of summer events and activities, geared towards Okotokians of all ages over the next few months.

Assistant Librarian and Program Director Lara Grunow says one of their coordinators will be helping pre-school kids learn how to read in the park this summer.

"Whoever is there is going to be able to join in on the fun," Grunow says. "So, we're going to post everyday she's going out where she's going to be, and what time. And then, parents are encouraged to come on down to the park with their children and have some fun with Kayla."

The drop-in reading groups include a 5-7 year old club on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a 6-8 year old club on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, and a 9-12 year old club on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Along with reading activities, other games and crafts will be on hand to keep the kids entertained.

Grunow says these programs really give students a leg up heading into the 2015-16 school year.

"It is important to make sure that their literacy skills don't drop," she says. "And that's kind of the role that we're trying to play, is just to encourage them and make it fun. And, hopefully kids like to read anyway, but this is another way to just kind of promote it."

Along with their reading programs, the library has also received some new summer games including Frisbee golf, horseshoes, lawn darts, beanbag toss, and fishing nets that they will be able to rent out for week-long stretches.

Grunow says they are also launching an exciting, new Adult Reading Challenge this summer.

"All of the staff have picked out a book that they are promoting as a great book to read," she says. "So, people come in and read a book, and the more you read, the more chances you have to win. They rate it and enter their name in for a prize, and if you share a review on our Facebook page you'll have an extra chance to win."

Call the Okotoks Public Library at 403-938-2220 or visit their website for more details about their summer programming.