Summer presents the perfect opportunity to crack open a new book and relax. While some teens may think there is not time to read during the summer, the St. Louis Park Library has developed book clubs to inspire student involvement over the summer.

Teen Services Librarian Erin Dahl joined the St. Louis Park Public Library a year and a half ago and said she recognizes the importance of encouraging students to read over the summer.

“It’s important to have a mixture of free time and activities,” she said. “I think it’s nice to have something to look forward to and something to encourage down time reading. It’s important to have book clubs for teens even though the turnout is not as big as it is with the younger kids.”

Because of this, the library will offer multiple teen book club options over the summer, including girls only teen book club, guys read teen book club and a teen book club including both genders. Sophomore Adam Ball said he thinks joining a book club is a good choice for students and might do it himself.

“A lot of kids don’t do much school during the summer,” he said. “It’s a good idea to keep learning and stay mentally active during the summer.”

Freshman Tygget Vaillancourt said he thinks joining a book club offers a chance to make new friends with common interests.

“Joining a book club sounds like fun. You get to read interesting books and have discussions,” he said. “I love reading and it would be a good way to meet new people who also love to read.”

According to Dahl, the library will also offer active volunteer opportunities throughout the summer with their Spark My Own Brilliance program, which is a drop in program for anybody who is interested in helping their community.

“We do community service projects, art projects, cooking, gardening, anything that the students are passionate about or want to focus on,” Dahl said. “We will be doing a lot of outdoor activities during the summer.”

If students are seeking other ways to become involved, Dahl said the library is always looking for volunteers and welcomes new ideas for teen programs.

“If kids have ideas of programs they would like to create here I am more than willing to work on that and see if we can pull something together,” said Dahl. “We’re here to facilitate student creative programs as well.”

More information about book clubs and other summer programs can be found by calling the library at 612-543-6125.