Library's all-ages reading challenge rewards healthy summer learning

Read five books to your baby and earn a free book. Have your teen read for 12 hours and she'll get ear buds, a book and a chance to win a family four-pack of passes to a Reds game or Coney Island.

It's all part of the 38th year of the Summer Reading program at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Proponents of reading, from Oprah to elementary school teachers, understand that reading improves memory and exercises the brain and imagination. The library's program adds levels of achievement, prizes and activities to fuel the spirit of competition among regional readers.

The rules are simple and easy to manage online. Spend hours reading and log your time online (adults can sign up here). Read a little and you'll earn a voucher for a free book at the giant Friends of the Public Library Book Sale. Read a lot and you, and children you read with, can win one of 164 sets of four passes to Reds' games or Coney Island's pool and park. Read the most of anyone at your branch in your category, and you'll win one of 123 Nook color e-readers.

Do Good:

• Visit the biggest book sale of all. The annual downtown sale at the Cincinnati Public Library runs through June 10. Friday is bag day – buy a bag and get everything you can fit inside it for free.

• Find a great gift. Shop at the Friends' gift shop on the mezzanine level of downtown's library.

• Be a friend. Join the Friends organization IRL, and on Facebook.

By Elissa Yancey
Photo courtesy Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County