Oceans of Possibilities gets underway
KHCPL’s summer reading program kicked off June 3 for all ages
It may be the most ambitious reading program Howard County has ever seen. The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library kicked off its “Oceans of Possibilities” summer reading program on June 3, and people couldn’t wait to get started.
“We had an amazing turnout,” said Trina Evans, head of children’s services. “The event was supposed to start at noon, but at 11 a.m. there were people waiting in line. For a reading club.”
The kick-off party ran all day on June 3, and more than 1,000 people signed up to participate in the reading program. Most of them received a special tote bag and an autographed copy of Starfish, the award-winning book by Kokomo resident and KHCPL Head of Marketing and Community Engagement Lisa Fipps.
“The first 1,000 people who signed up got a signed copy of Lisa Fipps’ book Starfish,” said Evans. “Her book has won many national and international awards, and she works here at the library. This is our gift to the community, and I think people really wanted to make sure they got the book.”
Starfish is the library’s “One Big Summer Read.” Fipps will talk about her book on July 6 at IU Kokomo’s Kresge Auditorium from 6-7 p.m. Tickets for this event are free and will be available at any library location as well as at the Greentown Public Library.
“I think it’s more than just the summer reading program,” said Evans of the large turn-out for the kick-off. “The last two years have been light because of COVID, but people are starting to feel comfortable going out again. And its First Friday, so people were already coming downtown for the Strawberry Festival.”
Reading, however, is the centerpiece of the summer at KHCPL. And the reading program is open for all ages, children and adults alike. Once participants have signed up, all they have to do is start reading.
“You can sign up all summer long,” said Evans. “Of course, the earlier you sign up, the better. We’re doing this thing called ‘reading streaks.’ We want our readers to read all summer. Maintaining streaks has become popular on things like Wordle and Snapchat and Fitbit. It’s like a game for yourself where you track how many days did you walk or send a picture. So, we’re tracking how many days did you read.
“There is a game board and stickers where you place a sticker each day you read, but if you miss a day, we have special power-up stickers you can get at one of our programs. And if you read for seven days, you come to the library to get your reading streak sticker and a prize.”
There is no shortage of programs to attend this summer. More than 80 events will be offered, from foam parties to treasure hunts to arts and crafts activities. And there are programs and prizes aimed at all ages, from tots to seniors.
“This program is for everyone from birth to death,” said Evans. “Everyone can participate, and everyone gets prizes. I know people think reading programs are for kids, but all of us can do it. I know I want a prize, right?”
Though Oceans of Possibilities started June 3, it is not too late to participate. And a library card is not required to play.
“Just come into any library location if you want the game board and stickers,” said Evans. “If you can’t get to the library, go to our website and click the link for Beanstack, which is the digital reading challenge you can do on your phone. Or you can do both!
“And you actually don’t have to have a library card to sign up and participate in the program. Let’s say you’re a grandmother, and your grandkids are staying with you for the summer. That’s fine. They can participate. We’d love it if you are reading our library books, but we just want people reading every day.”
For those who prefer to read their books in a digital format, that counts, too. Evans said that participants can log in to either of the online reading material sources the library offers on its website. Audio books and graphic novels also count for the reading program.
“We don’t enforce any time requirement. We just want you to read every day. Read for five minutes. Read for five hours.”
Those readers who complete five out of seven reading streaks over the course of the program will receive a free ticket to the Splish-Splash Final Bash party at Kokomo Beach, an exclusive event for the library on July 26 from 7-9 p.m. This event is sponsored by Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union.
The entire summer program guide can be viewed and downloaded by visiting Newsletter.pdf (khcpl.org).