Using digital tech to continue the tradition of summer reading

By Delonte Harrod, Pentagram Staff WriterJune 27, 2017

Using digital tech to continue the tradition of summer reading
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The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Library is keeping the summer reading tradition alive, but not traditionally: They do it online through digital reading.

This year's summer reading program started June 11 and lasts until Sept. 3. And it's not too late to sign up.

Melani Kimery, JBM-HH librarian, said the good thing about this online summer reading program is that the people don't have to physically be on the military base to participate.

"It doesn't matter where you are," said Kimery.

Reading by Design is the title of this year's summer reading program. This year's theme, according to the website, is used to motivate "readers to explore their creativity and design new worlds for themselves and for all of us."

However, according to Kimery, there is no emphasis on reading a certain genre or cap on the number of books you can read. But, there is an emphasis on encouraging readers to tally lots of minutes reading.

"I want to know how many minutes you read," said Kimery. "A person could read the newspapers, because adults can do this as well, or comic books . . . just as long as they're reading."

Adults and children can register online at jbmhhpost.beanstack.org. In addition to signing up online, it is also there that they can record how many minutes they are reading. Kimery said that she, as well as the other librarians, will be able to track the minutes participants read.

"They can use the URL to register online and register their kids online," said Kimery. "When participants come to the library, they can say, 'Hey, my kids qualify for prizes.' We can look them up [in the system] and hand them a bag of stuff."

Kimery said participants who read more than 400 minutes and up to 1,500 minutes will receive a badge and graphic designed t-shirt and a host of other gifts like various sized bags filled with school supplies. Participants who read 1,500 minutes and more will have a chance to receive movie tickets through a drawing.

Kimery does warn that gifts are limited, saying, "first come, first served."

"The sooner you get the 1,500 points, the more choice you have," she said.

In addition, Kimery said there will be two grand prizes, one for 17 and under (a family four-pack to attend the bowling center, and one for adults (Sunday brunch for two at Patton Hall). Participants will be featured in a drawing when reaching milestones such as 2,000 minutes, 2,500 minutes, and more to win these prizes.

Participants can access books online through a free app called "OverDrive - Library eBooks and Audiobooks." By using the app, participants can read books and listen to them in audio form without being connected to the internet. For example, participants who want to do some reading while flying: They can do that even when the phone is in airplane mode, which suspends internet access.

Kimery said the app is just like a real library but in virtual form.

The library gets a certain number of these books online. If a person is reading the same book via the app and another person wants to check out that same book -- that person has to wait until the other person is finished reading the book via the app.

The app gives library customers the opportunity to check out books for 7, 14 or 21 days. Kimery said she often advises customers to check out books for 21 days.

"If you finish you can return it early," she said. "If you forget about it, after 21 days you will lose access to the book. However, if no one has checked the book out again -- you can.

"It's like a physical library, but only in an app," said Kimery.

Download the app for free, but call the Library at 703-696-3555 first to make sure you are connecting with the Fort Myer Library.

Contact Pentagram Staff Writer Delonte Harrod at www.dharrod@dcmilitary.com.