RONAN — Last Friday, students at K. William Harvey Elementary School cozied up to their books during class wearing unusual attire for school-time reading.

Their goofy hats were part of I Love to Read Month celebrations.

Students’ books of choice were as varied as the hats.

Bradey Clary spent his morning reading “Conspiracy.”

“This is just a cool book,” the third grader said. “I like it.”

Another third-grade student, Oryssa Hall, read “Beauty,” which is about a horse. Her favorite book also has to do with animals, she said.

“Old Yeller” is her favorite “because it talks about a dog and a little boy and a bear fight,” she said.

Emma Lloyd took a more pragmatic approach and chose “The World of Rabbits.”

“Because I’m learning about rabbits and I’m going to get one, so I’m going to know how to take care of it,” said the third grader.

Reading is key to being a lifelong learner, and teachers work all year to instill that in students, said Jolyne O’Brien, dean of students and reading specialist at K. William Harvey.

“We jazz it up some this month,” she said, “but it’s really our focus yearlong.”

Children also can enjoy Story Time, for kids 3-5, on Thursdays and Mother Goose Time, for kids 0 to 3, on Mondays at the North Lake County Public Library in Polson.

“I come here all the days,” said Zavier Innerbichler, after last week’s Story Time while he and his friend, Mason Alexander, chose books to take home with them.

Mason’s mom, Desiree Alexander, said the boys enjoy coming to the library, as does she.

“It’s nice to have someone else read the stories,” she said.

While reading, children have quiet time to pursue things they’re interested in, she added.

Reading is important for youngsters because it “lays groundwork for all their future learning,” said Marilyn Trosper, library director. Children’s  programs teach vocabulary and language development, Trosper said.

“We try to make it fun, too,” she said.

The library provides reading materials and many more services for people of all ages, she said.

People can take advantage of summer reading programs, online databases, research materials, genealogy databases, online encyclopedias, computers and Internet and more, she said.

Other programs, like Date Night, which consists of a free movie and popcorn, Friday Flicks every Friday after school for school-aged children, and a play area with educational toys, are less conventional. People also can check out lifejackets to use for free, Trosper said.

“It’s all free, you just need that library card,” Trosper said.

This month, the library is celebrating Library Lovers Month and holding its annual Adopt-a-Book program.

People “adopt” a book for a fee and then personalize a plaque, which goes in the book.

“It’s like a Valentine for the library,” Trosper said.

For more information about the library, visit www.northlakecountylibrary.org.