You’re never too young to join your local library’s Summer Reading Club, but you can be too old.

The popular school holiday program is back at Libraries across the MidCoast region.

The aim is to inspire young people to keep reading throughout their downtime over the summer break.

The theme for this year’s program is ‘Superheroes and Villains’, with children being encouraged to unleash their imaginations to discover the powers and stories behind popular heroes and villains.

Tea Gardens Library caters to three age groups.

“There’s zero to five, primary school and high school groups,” librarian Carol Johnson said.

“With the pre-schoolers, mums and dads read to them and it’s just as valuable as kids doing independent reading,” Carol told News Of The Area.

Brother and Sister, Tye and Claire Carter have already signed up to the Summer Reading Club.

“You can learn, it makes homework easier, and you can use your imagination,’’ said 11-year-old Tye.

His nine-year-old sister Claire enjoys reading too. “I like funny books,” she said.

Both children have also been going to homework help at the Library for the past two years.

“Here, it’s one on one, they’re focusing on their work, at home it’s harder for them to concentrate,” Tye and Claire’s mum, Christine Carter, said.

Stroud Librarian Kathy Dennis says the program is always popular.

“We have lots of families signing up, many with three children,” Kathy said.

Holidaymakers can also join the club as long as they are members of the Midcoast Library scheme.

And there are inducements.

“They’ve got to read 10 books to win one of the prizes,” Carol Johnson said.

Children and their families can register online at www.summerreadingclub.org.au and pick up a reading log and goodies pack from their local Library until Saturday 7 January.

For more information, pop into your local library or call 6592 5290.

By Margie TIERNEY