Watch reading interests rise with these reading activities.

Scavenger Hunt
Take your patrons on a scavenger hunt in the library. Hide your puppets, stuffed animals, etc., around the library. Make up sheets with corresponding pictures of the animals. As you take them around the library point out the different sections. This is a fun method for giving a tour of the library without it being boring. Review where the animals were found. "The elepnat was found in the biographies. What are biographies?"Countless Characters
Did you know that Biographer's Day is celebrated May 16th? You won't have to wait that long. Each year many teachers assign biography book reports. As a culminating activity hold a Biography Brunch. Each student comes dressed as a book's character. Each student shares some interesting facts. Refreshments can be supplied by parents.

Poetry ConnectionsHave students use various materials to create a 3-D representation of a poem. The student includes the poem somewhere on the poem. It can be as simple as a soap sailboat with the poem on the sail. You can require students to create mobiles instead and hang them from the library ceiling.

Reading Road Rally
Have a contest between classes to determine which class could read the most books in a month's time. Each time a student reads a book have him or her complete a book summary card, which has to be approved by the teacher. In addition you can make impromptu calls to students homes or check on students during "free time." Any student reading receives a small prize the next day. You can decorate appropriately with NASCAR posters, checkered flags, etc.

Book Selection
Students often have difficulty choosing a suitable library book for their reading abilities, so here's a solution. After selecting a book, open to a typical page. Hold your close fist in front of you, palm facing you. Begin reading the page, holding up a finger for every word you don't know. Begin with your pinkie, and if you reach your thumb, put the book back.