The Kitsap Regional Library  kicked off its list of summer events  June 9 and offers a summer reading program, multiple educational and entertainment performances, a teen writing contest and other events on a daily basis.

The activities all continue the library’s ambition of offering early literacy programs, which seek to help young people foster life-long reading habits as well as offering fun for all ages.

The summer reading program seeks to motivate young learners to read or be read to for at least ten hours during the summer.

Library officials cite research showing that young people who engage in reading activities between school years maintain or advance in personal reading levels as opposed to those who do not engage in such program.

Jeff Brody, director of community relations for the library, said the summer reading program was among the flagship events for the library, and it offered students and their parents a way to stay engaged in education over the summer.

“It is important for parents who encourage their children academically to be involved,” Brody said. “And the programs are all free.”

To become involved in the reading program, young people or their parents may sign up for the program at any of the library’s branches, the library’s bookmobile or online.

Each of the libraries in the area will host an event to begin the program. Downtown Bremerton, Little Boston, Poulsbo, Bainbridge and Kingston hosted events on June 9. Manchester, Silverdale, Port Orchard and Sylvan Way are slated to host their events on June 16.

The regional library also will host multiple reading events with paid performances at all branches. Performances will include singer Caspar Babypants, Eric Haines One Man Band, musician Johnny Bregar, One World Taiko Drummers, Magician Jeff Evans and toy maker Rick Hartman.

The library will also offer a teen writing contest during the summer. Young people will craft short stories based on a photograph taken by another area teen and winners will be featured in videos to be posted on the library’s web site at summer’s end.

The events all enhance the library’s ongoing efforts for fun and education for all age groups such as story times for multiple age groups, chess events, movies, adult crafts, computer skills and senior reading groups.

Brody said the proximity of the different branches also enhanced the activities for residents.

“The number and variety of things we are offering is really is pretty amazing,” he said. “There is usually something more than just what a patron’s home branch is offering and if they travel just a few miles away there will be different events and opportunities.”