By Lexie Robinson-Austin, Rocket City Mom Contributor & Director of Youth Services at the Huntsville Public Library

At Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, we LOVE summer. And we LOVE reading! So Summer Reading is one of our favorite times of year. It’s a time where we invite kids across the community to read for fun! We hope that you will join us this summer for our Summer Reading Program: Dream Big READ! Pick up a Summer Reading kit at any of our library locations or register online here.

Read a book, Save a Bat!

The popular Readers to the Rescue program is back, and better than ever. During the summer months, children will have the opportunity to read AND help save some bats!

Our charity partnership for 2012 is with the National Speleological Society. When children sign up and read for the Readers to the Rescue program, they will track the amount of time they read. Starting May 29, for every two hours read, HMCPL will send a small portion of money to the National Speleological Society’s “White Nose Syndrome Research Fund.”

What is White Nose Syndrome (WNS)? It’s a fungus that grows on bats as they hibernate, causing them to wake early and starve to death. This disease is the cause of death of 7 million US Bats in the past five years. During the month of April it was found for the first time in Alabama caves. Currently, there are several bat species (including local bats!) at risk of extinction because of WNS.

There is no known cure.

Kids can change that by reading to send money and support to the National Speleological Society as they research the causes and search for a cure of White Nose Syndrome.

Why Readers to the Rescue?

Because participants are reading to help others, the pressure is off! They can read any books they love without worrying about reading levels, point systems, or tests. Reading for fun is a vital part of establishing literacy in young children. These young readers are also helping others. Studies have shown that children as young as 2 years old want to help those around them. This reading program is a great way to encourage this natural inclination towards giving.

Required Reading!

We know you don’t want to think about school now, but when it’s time to pick up your summer reading books don’t forget the Library! We’ve got an online guide that lists all of the books for the entire county, where to find them, and if they’re available online (some are available for free!) Check it out here. Don’t see your school? Find a copy of your schools reading list and email it here. We’ll post it ASAP!

Fun, Fun, Fun!

And don’t forget about our fun programs. Every library location will have special programs from Friday June 1 to Friday July 20. Find all the programs on the Our Valley Events calendar here. To see events at all the local libraries, just type the word “library” in the Event Search box in the right column. For more information on how to find events on Our Valley Events click here.

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you at the Library!

Not sure where your local libraries are? You can find all your libraries and their events in ONE place by clicking here to view our new directory of local venues and attractions.

About Rocket City Mom

Rocket City Mom is an online parenting website created in 2010 by a local mom who was new to Huntsville and looking for information on raising kids in the Tennessee Valley. The site now has more than 10 regular contributors, all local moms and dads, who share their insights and experiences with the goal of making life just a little easier for other local parents. On the site, you’ll find reviews of local attractions, a directory of services and businesses that have been mom approved, resource information (i.e. moms groups, support groups, birthday party planner, kids eat free) and much more!