The faint smell of books and the Jurassic Park theme filled the room as hundreds of Gainesville locals gathered at Tower Road Branch Library for this year's Reader Palooza, a kick-off event for its two-month Summer at the Library event.
At 10 a.m. June 6, hundreds of people gathered to begin summer with the Alachua County Library District. This year’s theme, “Rawrrr Into Reading!” commenced the summer season with two months of programming.
Helena McNeer, the senior library manager for youth services, estimated nearly 500 attendees by 11 a.m. She emphasized the importance of gathering with one's community for an event like Reader Palooza and getting to see what opportunities are available.
“You get to interact with so many community organizations that offer really valuable services that are so useful, especially during the summertime,” McNeer said. “It’s a chance to come together as a community and celebrate that we’re here.”
Reader Palooza featured dozens of local vendors, including O2B Kids, Girl Scouts, the Florida Museum of Natural History, Safe Kids and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, each tabling to share information and advertise summer programs. The event also featured an escape room, dinosaur-themed crafts, a button-making station and carnival games.
Getting kids to read is a big part of the library’s mission.
During COVID-19, the National Assessment of Educational Progress reported a significant decrease in average student achievement, particularly in reading and math.
In 2024, the NAEP reported about four in 10 students in the fourth grade read below national standards. Meanwhile, a third of eighth graders were “below basic.”
Brad McClenny, the library district’s public relations and marketing manager, said Reader Palooza has been going on for a number of years, hosting hundreds of people over the summertime.
“It’s always important for everybody to be reading all the time,” McClenny said. “Keep yourself informed and for kids in particular, you don’t want to lose those skills.”
The annual summer reading challenge began May 23. Participants log their reading and track their minutes on Beanstack, an app where users can log reading time, track book progress, get recommendations and make reviews for the opportunity to win weekly prizes through Aug. 8.
With the sponsorship of restaurant Sushi Sake Gainesville, the district will give away three tablets at the end of the summer to a child, teen and adult who read the most, McClenny said.
ACLD is a community hub for dozens of weekly events held throughout the year. From book clubs and crafting sessions to reading with animals and a plethora of learning opportunities, the library has much to offer its community.
McClenny said the inspiration behind Reader Palooza is to “bring the community together to remind them about reading this summer.” With children out of school, the library can serve as a learning space with free activities, entertainment and education, he said.
This summer, the library is excited to introduce a new circus performer and a Johnny Appleseed puppet show.
In line with this year’s theme, paleoartist Emily Willoughby will come to the Millhopper Library June 8 to teach librarygoers how to draw dinosaurs.
Jennifer Hall, a Gainesville resident and mother, attended with her daughter for their second year celebrating the library’s summer season.
Her daughter is an avid reader, and the library helps keep her occupied while she’s out of school, she said.
“I love anything that supports her,” Hall said, “like encouraging kids to just read and enjoy everything.”
Emily Medina-Finsen is a contributing writer for The Alligator.
