The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) announced in a news release Tuesday that sign-ups for its summer reading program, Summer Discovery, have opened.

Summer Discover is an annual program sponsored by PLYMC to encourage reading and literacy according to the release.

The program runs from May 27 to July 31. In that time, participants of all ages track the number of days they read, the aim of the program being to establish a daily reading habit.

According to the Summer Discovery website, participants must read for 45 days to complete the program and earn a prize.

"Summer literacy programs at the library are for everyone from toddlers discovering their first stories to seniors exploring a lifetime of learning," said Erin Phemester, PLYMC Chief Experience Officer.

Phemester continued," Last year, thousands of children and adults participated in Summer Discovery which shows that interest in reading is alive and well across our community."

A kick-off event is scheduled on May 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Boardman Park at the Hofmaster Pavilion.

During this event, participants can check out the Pop-Up Library, enjoy games and activities and more.

At the end of the program, each library branch will celebrate those who completed the program with their own party in early August, according to the release.

To sign up for the summer reading program, there are three ways to register, listed on the Summer Discovery website:

  • Visit your local PLYMC branch location
  • Call 330-744-8636
  • Register through ReadSquared online, or download the app for Apple and Android devices.

According to the website, those who sign up can receive a t-shirt at any PLYMC branch, which supplies last.