Visit your library branch this summer and “Catch the Reading Bug,” the theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program. Magic shows, science experiments, animal shows, movies, and arts and crafts activities are among the many exciting free activities in store for kids this summer. Open to children from infant to age 12, the reading program offers youngsters a chance to receive incentives for reading or in the case of pre-readers—listening.

“Every year, we’re so excited to offer this reading program,” said Debbie Taylor, the library’s Children’s Program Manager. “We kick off with the “Love Bug Band” on June 14 and over the next two months, offer many more fun programs with some great rewards for all our enthusiastic readers. Reading during the summer allows children to retain their hard earned reading skills. It’s a proven first step towards literacy for younger children.”

The “Love Bug Band” will kick-off this year’s program at the South Chula Vista branch on June 14 at 11 a.m. Afterwards, kids can sign up and start reading for fun. August 8 is the last day for children to return their reading logs for prizes; August 9 will be the program finale, including storytelling and outdoor festivities at the Civic Center branch.

Teens in grades 6-12 can join in the “Metamorphosis” Summer Reading Program to participate in some fantastic programs and receive rewards for a variety of activities that encourage reading, participation, fitness, and healthy eating. The teen programs will include video gaming, comic and graphic novel workshops, a makeover night, and much more. The teen finale will be a “Breaking Dawn Party” on August 2 -- after the library closes. “Breaking Dawn” is the next installment in Stephenie Meyer’s popular Twilight Saga series.

Visit any of the city’s libraries to sign up for the Summer Reading Programs. A complete calendar of events for children and teens is available at the library or by visiting online at www.chulavistalibrary.com. The branch libraries are Civic Center, 365 F St., (619) 691-5069; South Chula Vista, 389 Orange Ave., (619) 585-5755; and EastLake, 1120 EastLake Parkway, (619) 397-3980. The reading program is sponsored by the library and the Friends of the Chula Vista Library.