Launched this week and running until August 23 at the Carlisle and Waterdown branches, this year's program focuses on fun. Its theme is LOL (Laugh Out Loud) and gives kids a chance to tickle their funny bone while honing their literacy skills while they're off school.

"We just want the kids to have a good time and enjoy what they're doing," stressed Librarian Assistant Joan Fletcher, who oversees the HPL children's programs for Waterdown and Carlisle.

The Summer Reading Club will be co-ordinated once again by returning summer student Heather Olaveson, who is pumped up for the contests, events and book reports slated for the next two months.

"This is my fifth year, and I still enjoy it," said the Carlisle resident, who has completed her undergraduate studies and will be heading off to take her Masters degree for music composition at the University of Victoria in the fall.

While participants aged 6-12 can read whatever they choose, books that fit the theme will be on display at the branches during the summer. To register, young readers simply complete a book, then visit Olaveson during reporting hours. They will earn prizes along the way, including an activity book and McDonalds ice cream voucher after the first book, a poster and stickers after the sixth book and a free book after the twelfth report.

HPL will also be holding its annual bookmark and billboard design contests, and a joke contest. Olaveson also plans to run a story contest.

Reading Club participants will also be boosting a good cause. Following the success of last year's Free the Children initiative that translated the number of books read by local kids into the purchase of livestock for families in need in a developing country, Fletcher hopes to raise the bar this year.

"Last year in Waterdown, the goal was 2,100 books and in Carlisle they read 700," said Fletcher. "The two libraries combined bought four goats. This year, we want to surpass last year's goal."

The Carlisle and Waterdown branches will also be collecting food donations at Summer Reading Club kickoff events. The items will be sent to HPL's Central branch for distribution to Hamilton agencies.

In addition to the children's program, there will be plenty for teens to do at local libraries over the summer months, said Fletcher and Olaveson. In the tradition of a reality-show format, HPL has made 12 age-appropriate selections for participants in The Next Top Novel, but they can kick back with whatever material they choose. Rather than coming into the branch, teens can go online to file their reports, and they can post reviews of their selections. Once they vote, their names are entered into a draw for a teen reading prize pack. Older readers are eligible for the prizes at the first, sixth and twelfth books. Youth ages 12-18 can also enter the HPL's "Power of the Pen" writing contest.

The official kickoff for the Summer Reading Club, which is sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group, will take place over the next two weeks. Turkey Rhubarb will perform at the Carlisle branch July 3 and the Reptile Man will be coming to Waterdown on July 10. Admission to both events is free, but space is limited for the Waterdown show, so those who wish to attend must pick up tickets at the Mill Street North branch to reserve a spot. For information on HPL Summer Reading Clubs, visit www.myhamil-ton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/.