OLEAN — The Olean Public Library is gearing up for another jam-packed, fun-filled summer. The Summer Reading Program is back, with this year’s theme being “Color Our World.”

From July 14 through Aug. 8, the library will host the annual Summer Reading Challenge for community members of all ages.

For kids, the threat of the summer slide is very real. During the summer months, students are at risk of losing two to three months of reading skills if they are not engaged. Unfortunately, the summer slide is cumulative, with these losses building up each year. By fifth grade, kids in need could be three grades behind their peers in reading skills.

A fun and proven way to combat this slide is participating in the Summer Reading Program. This program is engaging, educational in many ways, and reminds kids that reading can be fun.

Children can earn their way prizes in the summer reading program at the Olean Library.

Kids read (or someone else reads to them), keep track of what has been read and earn Kid Cash. The cash can be used to buy books, DVDs and all kinds of cool prizes. Read enough and get an Honor Book placed in the library in your name.

Children’s programs will continue over the summer — Kids Color Our World Art Club, Investigation Stations and Waggy Tales Book Club are just a few.

There will be special events each week including the Repco Wildlife Show, Omnipresent Puppet Theater, Freddy Frog’s Fantastic Foam Party and much more.

The library is a great place to spend the summer. Check out our Friends of the Library Book Sale, take a class, enjoy some entertainment, take advantage of free programs and materials (we have so much more than just books) or just curl up with a good book on a rainy day.

Our Summer Kick Off Carnival will be held on Saturday, June 14, beginning at noon. There will be carnival games, balloon twisting, face painting and the incredible magic of Dave Jeffers.

On June 26 at 3:30 p.m., come decorate a pot and plant flowers with Percy and Pups. Our favorite animal pals will be here to cuddle and read to. There will be snacks and games and fun for all.

Also on June 26, join us for the Teen Summer Reading Kick-Off Party beginning at 12:30 p.m. There will be refreshments, as well as some small gifts to recognize our graduating seniors. Weather permitting, we will move outside to tie-dye t-shirts. To ensure every participant gets a shirt to dye, registration must be completed before June 24.

Teens participating in the Summer Reading Program earn smaller “first tier” prizes in one of two ways: read two books or read for a total of 10 hours — whichever they complete first. After earning this first prize, they start earning raffle tickets towards larger prizes raffled off at the end of summer. Raffle tickets are earned for hours spent reading, each book finished, and by attending teen programs at the library.

The library will also host another popular Teen Amazing Race program on Aug. 15. Teens compete in teams of three in various geography-themed challenges for small trophies and for additional raffle tickets. Last year, six teams recreated Starry Night in France, built marshmallow “igloos” in Greenland and dueled a knight in Portugal, just to name a few of the challenges. What’s in store this year?

There is also a Summer Reading Program for adults. When registering, adults receive a Summer Reading Adventure Booklet in which they track reading progress, attendance at library programs, and other fun activities held throughout the summer. This reading program is designed for all adults, from prolific readers who read all summer long to those who only have time to fit in a book or two over the summer.

The booklet provides many ways to earn entries for prize baskets that we will be raffled off at the end of the summer.

Registration for the Summer Reading Programs begins on June 30. For more information, stop in the library at 134 N. 2nd St., call at (716) 372-0200, visit us at oleanlibrary.org or follow us on Facebook.