Summer brings plenty of free time for students in Rockdale County, and now that school is the furthest thing from the minds of 5 to 18 year olds, the Nancy Guinn Library has a way to fill the void in both their summer schedule and minds.

Running until July 24, children from babies to 18 years old can sign up for the library’s vacation reading program.

All that’s necessary to enter the program is to sign up before July 24 and keep a reading log of how many hours are spent with a book, magazine, assigned reading by the school, or even listening to audio books.

For the various increments of time, participants will receive prizes such as food gift certificates, skating, bowling and other activates donated by various businesses.

At the end of the program, the library will host a reading party July 22 out in the back of the library opened to anyone.

"I think it’s great, because kids need to continue reading throughout the summer to retain a lot of information they learned during the school year," said Lauren Knowlton, the Youth Services Librarian at the Nancy Guinn Library.

"This gives them more incentive for doing that."

The Library is also hosting Thrilling Thursday Performances throughout the summer.

Each Thursday between now and July 15, with the exception of June 24, performers such as musicians, puppeteers and storytellers will be in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 10:30 a.m.

No registration is required, but the event is limited to 350 people. For more information, call (770) 388-5040