For children, the Summer Reading Program theme is “Every Hero Has a Story.”

LAHAINA – Readers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2015 Hawaii State Public Library System’s (HSPLS) Summer Reading Programs from May 31 through July 18. Registration for the free seven-week programs at public libraries statewide begins on May 31.

Dates may vary by library; contact your local library for dates and other guidelines.

Participants who visit their local library and read at least one book per week are eligible to receive a free reading incentive while supplies last.

In addition to reading, the programs will feature performances by artists from the University of Hawaii’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program. Performance programs will be highlighted on the HSPLS website.

This year, all of the Summer Reading Programs have an overall theme of “heroes,” but each program has its own related theme.

For children, the theme is “Every Hero Has a Story.” Pre-kindergarteners through sixth-graders are invited to discover the “superheroes” within themselves as they read and learn about real life, fantasy and everyday heroes among us who do extraordinary things.

Weekly reading incentives will include items such as school supplies, tasty treats and a Super Hero Activity Kit for young readers to assemble Super Library-Ann, Captain Read-A-Lot and a superhero of their own creation. Free drawings will also be conducted at each library for a chance to win a Back-to-School Backpack filled with handy school supplies for registered children (two prize winners per library).

The teen theme is “Unmask!” Teens in grades 7-12 can read to unmask heroes of all kinds – from real heroes of the past to heroes of today, fictional heroes in literature and film, superheroes in comics and movies, and the heroes they may find in themselves.

Weekly reading incentives include tantalizing treats and cool items that can be customized, such as a four-color pen with cushion grip or a fillable clear photo frame key tag.

Free drawings will be conducted at each library for a chance to win a 40-ounce Hydroflask, and registered teens can qualify for regional prize drawings of a notebook computer (four regional prize awards).

In addition, teens can enter Hawaii Pizza Hut’s “Get Caught Reading” Instagram Contest for a chance to win weekly prizes. Visit www.librarieshawaii.org/summerreading for more information and contest rules.

And adults can “Escape the Ordinary” in the summer program. Readers 18 years and older can read to discover heroes such as military and war veterans, historical icons and more as they escape the ordinary to see the extraordinary.

Sponsors for the 2015 Summer Reading Programs include the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, HEI Charitable Foundation, Meadow Gold Dairies, HMS Host, Hansen Distribution Group, Roberts Hawaii, Toshiba Business Solutions, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, National Football League Charities, Aloha United Way and local Friends Chapters.

Corporate sponsors include Hawaii Pizza Hut, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, HouseMart Ace Hardware and HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts, Honolulu Family, Frito-Lay of Hawaii, Razor Concepts, Starbucks Coffee Company, Wholesale Unlimited and Diamond Bakery.

For more information, visit www.librarieshawaii.org/summerreading or www.facebook.com/HSPLSHIgov, or call your local public library.