Points, a pizza party and prizes have always been key for the Irene Ingle Public Library summer reading program for kids. But the real purpose is to foster a love of reading, said Sarah Scambler, library director.

While many elements of the program follow the pattern established across 31 years of using the Accelerated Reader points and testing system as a measure of achievement, there are some updates for this summer’s readers.

“I did this program when I was a kid,” said Scambler. But reading trends change, and the view of literacy has evolved.

Audio books and books on electronic devices like tablets and e-readers are now approved ways of “reading” or experiencing a book.

Some readers read and test to accumulate the minimum 10 points to qualify for the pizza party and call it good. The library staff, however, wanted to find ways to encourage them to keep reading.

This year, the first 10 points qualify readers for the pizza party, but there are 3D-printed collectibles for every 10 points earned after that, up to 100 points. “The collectables will be a series, so readers will want to get them all,” said Scambler.

“We want to keep kids engaged,” said library assistant Chana Garrett. “We want to find ways to keep them interested in reading, to make reading a choice.”

Library staff have noted that while students are reading an increasing number of books, the point value of the books has gone down.

“Students are reading shorter books. There is less willingness to challenge themselves. Sometimes it’s about how fast they can accumulate points rather than engaging a story, so they won’t choose a big book. We would like to see more willingness to take on a challenge,” said Scambler.

Having a variety of prizes is another incentive. Readers receive a ticket for every point earned, and those tickets are dropped in a jar corresponding to a prize, with the hope that their name will be drawn at the end-of-program party.

“We’ve made a change in the cash prize awards this year,” said Scambler. “We’ve set a limit of $100 total. Once a participant has won $100, if their name is drawn for additional cash prizes, another ticket will be drawn.”

“We are going to emphasize interest rather than specific reading levels,” said Garrett. “We do want reading to be fun, not a chore. If you are interested in a book series, read it.”

A wide variety of books in all parts of the library are eligible for testing and points, from the “Dog Man” to “Percy Jackson” series, to authors Clive Cussler and Danielle Steele.

Which is good news for young adults age 15-20. While the traditional summer reading program is for students going into kindergarten through ninth grade in August, this summer the library has created a reading program to keep teens reading.

When they register, readers will receive a large bookmark-style form to track their books. For each book read, including audiobooks, the reader will be able to choose an item from a prize box. After reading three books, participants will receive an Owala travel mug. And after six books completed, they will receive a gift certificate to Sweet Tides bakery.

Registration for the program began May 1. The first day of testing is May 26, which will continue through Aug. 1.

There will be a family orientation for those who would like more information on May 30, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The library is accepting donations of prizes or cash donations to buy prizes until May 30.