The West Fargo Public Library is partnering with Bank of North Dakota’s College SAVE program to provide one more incentive to participants in its A Universe of Stories Summer Reading Program – money.

College SAVE is the state’s 529 plan to help residents save for college. At the end of the summer, every reader who completes the library’s summer reading program parameters will receive a $25 contribution to a new College SAVE account or a $10 contribution to an existing account, along with a chance to receive one of 10 $529 contributions to a College SAVE account.

The free summer reading program at the West Fargo Public Library works to encourage children to continue reading and learning all summer long, so they enter the new school year ready to learn. Reading during the summer is proven to benefit children as they return to school in the fall. Even a small amount of reading, like 15 minutes a day, is effective in stopping learning loss that can occur when children are out of school in the summer.

Bank of North Dakota and the North Dakota State Library have partnered to offer the College SAVE Reading Champions Campaign statewide. Nearly 40 libraries with nearly 15,000 readers are expected to participate and help raise awareness that College SAVE accounts grow state and federal tax free when used for qualified higher education expenses. Contributions are also tax deductible from North Dakota state income.

Programming for A Universe of Stories will run June 3 to Aug. 5 and includes events for all ages. For children, events include weekly crafts, a STEM space camp, coding, galaxy slime, rocket launchers and much more. Adults can join in with book discussions, presentations, movies and more. Reading incentives and prizes for all ages are available for those who register. The library is holding a kickoff party 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 3, with activities like West Fargo Public School’s Skylab, Inspire Innovation Lab’s STEM activities and story times. Registration is available at the kickoff party and throughout the summer at the West Fargo Public Library reference desk.

College SAVE also offers the New Baby Match, a $200 match when an account is opened within a child’s first year of life. The BND Match provides a $300 match for up to three years depending on family income. Four of five North Dakota families qualify for at least one year.

“Bank of North Dakota is always seeking creative ways to reach families who are interested in saving for college,” states James Barnhardt, College SAVE Plan director. “The research is clear that a child is more likely to attend college when a family starts saving and the match programs offered by Bank of North Dakota have jumpstarted nearly 11,000 accounts.”

Visit collegesave4u.com to learn more about College SAVE.