Imagine Your Story
Brunswick County Library System is proud to launch its first virtual Kids Summer Reading Program for area children. The program’s theme—Imagine Your Story—encourages kids to take advantage of the summer season to explore new topics and ideas through reading to stay engaged and learn more about themselves and their interests in the process.
“Even though our libraries are still closed to the public due to concerns about COVID-19, we are still available to our residents and are eager to offer this virtual program to our county’s young children and students,” said Nathan Phillips, Leland Library branch manager. “Our team has worked hard to make sure this program is still available this year, and we appreciate everyone’s support of the libraries during this time.”
Like the traditional in-person program, kids of all ages are encouraged to read or be read to every day and report their minutes to qualify for prizes like books, craft kits, gift baskets, gift cards and an Amazon Kindle Fire.
Parents are invited to register their children now via the Library’s online registration form or by calling their library branch (see contacts below) to receive information about how to participate.
“A team member from your library branch will be in touch with you to answer questions and send you reading logs for your child to track their reading minutes,” Phillips said. “Each library branch has different reading milestones and prizes, so be sure to check with them on their specific program details.”
All Brunswick County children can participate regardless of whether they have a library card; however, individuals are encouraged to register for their free library card at any time. Contact your library branch to register for a library card virtually.
The Imagine Your Story Virtual Kids Summer Reading Program is sponsored by State Library of North Carolina and the four Friends of the Library groups in Brunswick County.
Library Branch Contact Information
•Harper Library, Southport: 910.457.6237
•Barbee Library, Oak Island: 910.278.4283
•Leland Library, Leland: 910.371.9442
•Rourk Library, Shallotte: 910.754.6578
• outhwest Brunswick Library, Carolina Shores: 910-575-0173
Need a book? No problem.
Even though the libraries are physically closed to visitors, individuals can still check out books for pick up through curbside delivery. This service is available for all Brunswick County library card holders.
The process is simple: Use the Library Sys
tem’s online catalog or call your library branch to put books or other items like magazines, movies and music CDs on hold.
“Your library branch will call you to coordinate a pick-up time when your items are available and explain the curbside delivery process,” said Heather Donnell, Harper Library branch manager. “Within the first two days of offering this service back in mid-May, we had more than a 1,000 people use their library cards to reserve items. We’re definitely excited to see so many people embrace the opportunity to read and use their library.”
All books must be returned in the book drops in front of the libraries. All returned books are cleaned and quarantined for 72 hours before becoming eligible for check out again.
Additionally, there are several virtual services for eBooks available for library users. See links to these resources on the Library System’s main webpage at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/library/
For additional questions, contact your library branch Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Editor’s Note: For the past couple of months, we’ve been reading all about the virtual programs the libraries quickly implemented to continue providing a valuable service to our community. We were inspired to update our own card and have been enjoying borrowed eBooks ever since!
