The base library in Iceland is encouraging children to “Take Flight, Read” through a program now under way designed to make reading fun.

The program, for ages 5 through 11, aims to encourage reading and improve reading skills by awarding prizes, said Jennifer Yale, senior library technician at the Naval Air Station Keflavik library.

“The program is incentive-based … as the kids read books, they count the number of pages and those page numbers correspond to prizes for recognition markers throughout the program,” she said.

The top three readers will receive prizes. Prizes and certificates will be presented at a ceremony at the end of the program.

As the children read, the library is posting gold markers on the walls with their names and the number of pages they’ve read.

“Last year, the kids read over 80,000 pages,” Yale said.

“The goal was 10,000 pages. They really surprised last year. So this year, I may have the goal be 20,000 pages.”

The library is sponsoring an activity and a craft based on this year’s theme of flight. The children will also tour the base to get up-close looks at some of the aircraft and the air terminal.

“I really hope they gain an appreciation for reading and that they enjoy it,” Yale said. “I also hope it makes them want to come back next year.”

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