Just because the school year ended, doesn't mean reading should.
Michaela Segall, a librarian at Catonsville Library, said students who don't read during summer vacation can fall back two grade levels by the time school starts in the fall.
But tearing youngsters away from electronics and fun in the sun can prove difficult.
That's why the Baltimore County Public Library system is part of a national summer reading club, which launched June 20 and ends Aug. 13 and rewards students for reading.
"The game here is that they read," said Segall, who coordinated the club for the library on Frederick Road.
"We don't give them book lists," Segal said. "We want them to read for pleasure. That's the purpose of the club."
While reading has obvious benefits for students, the club is open to readers of all ages.
Baltimore County Public Library spokesman Bob Hughes said last year the summer club had its most participants since it started recording such information in 1984.
The club had more than 35,000 Baltimore County residents, including 2,100 from Catonsville.
Despite having registrations for only a little more than a week, Hughes said in an email on June 29 that last year's record has already been surpassed.
A representative from the Catonsville Library reported on June 29 that the library had already signed up more than 1,200 people and registration continues throughout the summer.
The library employs about three dozen volunteers, many of them middle school students who can earn service hours for their efforts, to help sign people up and assist in other activities the library offers.
At 4 p.m. on June 29, the library had two first-year volunteers in the children's section ready to assist those signing up or making crafts.
Adam Miller, who starts eighth grade at Lamb of God School at 1810 Fairview Ave. in the fall, spent part of his day helping younger kids make Mexican decorations.
"I like how I can help other people learn to find reading interesting," said Adam, who volunteers at the library for about six hours each week.
Taon Price, a rising seventh-grader at Catonsville Middle School, helped several youngsters sign up for the club on the computer.
Taon, who enjoys reading mysteries and recently completed one of the Harry Potter books, participated in the reading club last summer.
"There's two things I like (about the club). You can read books and win cool prizes like the iPod Touch," said Taon, who won an e-reader last year.
Whether it's a child who can't read or someone who graduated 50 years ago, every reader who signs up for the free club has the opportunity to complete goals and earn prizes.
The club is broken down into four age groups, each of which has different achievements and prizes.
Elementary school readers and younger receive a prize for finishing a certain number activities.
Middle school readers and older entered into a raffle for various prizes, including iPods, gift certificates and autographed books after they finish the specified number of books.
While Adam admitted the prizes are nice, he planned to sign up this year for a different reason.
"What I like about it is the challenges it gives to read all those books," Adam said. "I like to complete challenges."