Track your summer reading hours in North Texas

Are you motivated by prizes? Many Central Texas public libraries have summer programs to incentivize reading for kids and adults alike.

Why it matters: Texas children's reading skills are declining.

• And polls show that even adults are consuming fewer books despite studies linking reading to longevity.

The big reader: The Austin, Round Rock and Cedar Park public libraries, among others, are hosting reading challenges and learning activities for a chance to win prizes.

How it works: In the Austin challenge, for example, kids log when they read (or are read to) for 20 minutes in a day. Once they reach 600 minutes — and complete three activity badges — they get a free book — and adults can get a free mug.

• You can earn an activity badge by visiting a museum or Zilker Botanical Garden or attending a summer event at a library.

The bottom line: Libraries are air conditioned, making them very cool places to hang out this summer.