Indianapolis library celebrates 100 years of summer reading program

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — This summer will be 100th year of the summer reading program through the Indianapolis Public Library system. 

Each year, 50,000 children sign up to read books and earn points that can be exchanged for prizes provided by community sponsors. 

The goal of the summer reading program is to help children develop a love of reading, not only to become lifelong readers but to help with their academic success. 

The manager of program development for the library, Melanie Wissel, said, “In the beginning, it was just for kids but, now, it’s for the whole family. Parents can read to their children aloud, which inspires the love for reading, and that includes preschool children, so the whole family can be a part of the program.”  

The 2019 program will run from June 3 to July 27 at all 24 library locations.