This summer marks the initiation of the Midway Summer Reading Program at Midway Middle and Liberty Elementary schools.  
Media specialists Cristina Dover and Kristi Craven are opening their media centers to the community this summer in order to help students avoid summer slides in reading.  
“According to research, students can lose up to two months of reading progress during the summer months,” Dover said. “We are hoping to prevent this with our students by allowing them to check out books this summer and enjoy read aloud times.”  
The program kicked off June 5 at Liberty Elementary.  
Teachers and staff members from both schools are volunteering to read to students during this summer session. Summer-school students from Midway Middle attended and volunteered by reading to and with the Liberty Elementary students. Liberty County High School student T.J. Standard is earning volunteer hours by reading to the smaller children.  
“Both of my parents are educators, so I realize how important reading is for kids,” Standard said.  
The program takes place from 10 a.m.-noon most Wednesdays.  Liberty Elementary will host the program today and July 17. Midway Middle will have the program June 26, July 10 and July 24.  
The community is welcome to attend.  Book checkout is for any student who was enrolled in a Liberty County school for the 2012-13 school year. Children not enrolled are welcome to read books and participate in story time.