It’s that time of year again! School is out and summer is on its way.

Along with rising temperatures, long days, cookouts and the beach, it’s also time for Richmond Hill Public Library’s annual summer programming.

There’s a lot in store for readers of all ages this year. Look for movie screenings each week for adults and children; a “Harry Potter” movie marathon and activities like house sorting, trivia, costume contest and wand making; teen videogame events with Nintendo Wii; story time performers and more throughout the months of June and July.

The Summer Reading Program is back for 2011, and this year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.”

Readers are encouraged to stop by the library to pick up a log. Parents of younger children should record the number of books read, while older children should keep track of the hours they have read. Visit the library at designated days and times in June and July to check out the prize booth. Bring your log and, depending on the hours or books you have read, trade it in for prizes like beach balls, pool toys, book totes, boomerangs, mesh backpacks and much more.

Library Manager Kate Barker explained why she believes the Summer Reading Program is important for children.

“They’ve done studies that prove that children who continue to read in the summertime do not lose the learning they’ve done during the school year,” she said. “But mostly because reading is fun, and no matter what you’re reading, you can always learn something.”

This year, a scholarship program will go hand-in-hand with the Summer Reading Program.

The “Destination: College Savings” scholarship sweepstakes, hosted by Path2College 529 Plan and the Georgia Public Library Service, will give one lucky Summer Reading Program participant $5,529 towards a college savings account. The winner’s local public library also will receive $1,529, as will the public library with the most entrants.

“It’s just a really interesting tie-in with summer reading and, in this day and age, a real boon for parents,” said Barker.

Find out more about the scholarship program and how to enter at www.path2college529.com.

The Summer Reading Program can also be an opportunity to get children interested in reading, according to Barker. She believes that parents can help encourage them in simple ways, too.

“Read to them,” she said. “I don’t care how old they’ve gotten, or if they can read on their own, still read aloud with them … if you’re sharing a book with them, then you can talk with them about it. It’s especially important for the younger children because that tells them two things: that you want to spend time with them and that reading is important to you.”