BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In one final summer hooray for the Hays Public Library, the HPL will be celebrating the children that completed the summer reading challenge with an invitation to the End of Summer Reading Party at the Hays Aquatic Park on Saturday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Summer Reading Challenge was available throughout the summer for kids aged 0-18, split into three age groups: Early Literacy (0-5), Elementary (6-11), and Young Adult (12-18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pool party is by invitation only for those that have completed the challenge. Participants and their parents will receive free admission to the pool party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HPL Learning Experience Coordinator, Sara Doyle, said there were specific requirements required to complete the challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo complete the challenge, participants have to earn 20 badges throughout the summer, through reading, writing reviews, and\/or attending library programs,\u201d Doyle said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doyle continues by discussing the logistics of how kids were able to track their progress of the challenge over the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKids were able to track their reading in whatever manner suited them best, through Beanstack, our online Summer Challenge platform, or through paper reading logs,\u201d she said. \u201cThey could also track their attendance at HPL programs and provide reviews for their favorite books online or in-person, for extra tickets towards the Grand Prize Drawing at the end of the summer. Completing these additional activities also helps participants complete the Summer Challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doyle also reminds everyone that the challenge is not over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you or your child haven\u2019t yet completed the summer challenge, it’s not too late to wrap things up,\u201d she said. \u201cYouth participating on Beanstack or with paper logs have until the end of the day on Friday to turn in their reading and program attendance, as well as to enter their tickets into the grand prize drawings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, there is also an ongoing reading challenge for the adults. Participants can get a bookmark from the main desk (don’t forget to get your registration prize!) and complete 11 challenges, including things like Check out something to listen<\/strong> to and Visit the bookmobile<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once those challenges are completed, you can return your bookmark to get entered into one of three grand prize drawings. Bookmarks are due by 8:00 pm on Monday, July 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of current attendance for the pool party, Doyle explains that the numbers are rising every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Summer Challenge lasts until July 28, so we won’t have final numbers until July 29,\u201d she said. \u201cAs of today, we have 88 that have completed the challenge, which is up 20 from last week. Invites for the pool party will begin going out this week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doyle wants to thank Nex-Tech for sponsoring the hot dogs at the end-of-the-year summer party, and she wants to give a huge thank you shoutout to all of the staff at HPL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSummer is always a busy part of the year for us – we had over 3,900 people attend programs during the month of June – and they handled everything so well,\u201d Doyle said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The End of Summer Party will take place from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. on Saturday at the Hays Aquatic Park (weather permitting).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rest of the week\u2019s events are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monday, July 24, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tuesday, July 25, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wednesday, July 26, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thursday, July 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Friday, July 28, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturday, July 29, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n