School librarians aren’t happy when books gather dust on the shelves, and June, July and August traditionally are dusty months.

Working with Campbell Elementary Principal Carrie Cornejo, library aid Kathy Beamis, came up with a way to get students in the school’s library and its classrooms during the summer.

They launched the Barefoot, bikes and books program on July 12 to provide targeted reading groups, opportunities to check out books and share reading with librarians.

“It was a collaborative effort with the librarians and myself,” Cornejo said. “Then we brought it to the staff, and a lot of staff members jumped on board too.”

The program runs from 7:30-8:45 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, targeted reading groups meet in three classrooms.

On Thursdays, the library is open for students to check out books and participate in a shared reading with the librarians.

Parents are able to drop their children off at the program or stay, Cornejo said.

Campbell’s librarian, Kathy Galloway, and Beamis will be present every Thursday to help children find book they are looking for.

On the first day of the program, July 12, 12 children participated in the program.

Cornejo said she sees the program growing this summer because she has heard good feedback from the children and their parents.

Proving her right, 20 children showed up July 19, the next day the library was open.

“The kids are happy to be here and to be earning prizes for reading,” Cornejo said.

The students participating in the program are given a log to keep track of how much they are reading.

For every 15 minutes they read, they can earn a prize — mostly school supplies and fun trinkets.