Gaugler said anything that a family has going on involves some sort of reading, and parents should include children in those tasks.

“If you’re doing anything at all, like a trip,” she said, “even the most reluctant reader will enjoy helping prepare. A lot of children are computer-savvy, have them do a search (online), or read a book about the place or things they’re going to go through.”

In previous years, officials said attendance at summer programs was great, and attendance is up at some programs that already are under way.

King said about 40 children arrived each day during the first week of the program at the library, and White said on their first days, the library was filled with children looking for books.

“We are inundated with children who are anxious to check out books and read,” she said. “They are so happy.”