Summer reading isn’t just for kids at
the Windham Public Library. This year there are programs for all ages centered
around the theme “Every Hero has a Story.” The program runs from June 15th
to August 28th, and includes Bingo games, special events, and a
chance for children to earn a special summer reading certificate.
One of the changes in the summer reading
program this year is the addition of a new age group for children in grades 4
through 8, rather than having one children’s category from birth through age
10, said Windham Library director Jen Alvino. This means that there are four
age groups – young children, juniors, teens and the adult program.
“We wanted to make sure we weren’t
missing that group,” said Alvino. “They’re doing a bingo sheet like the teens,
but it’s geared towards that 7 to 10 age group. We’re pretty excited about that,”
she said.
The summer reading program is a
collaborative effort between the children’s room and the adult section of the
library, Alvino said, and planning for it began in January. The library will be
participating in the Summerfest parade, riding on an antique truck restored by
the husband of a library staff member.
For the juniors, teens and adults, there
will be a bingo card with a variety of tasks to complete. “It’s fun for people
to try something different. The bingo sheet really helps people stretch,” said
Alvino.
When a row on the bingo card is
finished, participants will win a book. Towards the end of the summer, there
will be other prizes and drawings for completing the whole sheet. Prizes have
been donated by community partners, said Alvino.
“It’s nice to collaborate with the
community businesses and also the schools,” she said. The high school has
loaned the library copies of books on their summer reading list to be sure more
kids have easy access to these books.
There are a variety of activities
planned at the library in the summer months. The children’s room will offer craft
days, story times, take home activity sheets, a creative writing club and a
letterboxing trail. For teens, there will be puzzle challenges, movies, and an
opportunity to explore life after high school with a college transitions coordinator.
Adult activities include book group meetings and a weekly showing of Downton
Abbey.
There are also a number of special
events including a tea, Magic of the Steelgraves, an ice cream party, hero
parade, pet show, yoga for children, a scavenger hunt, and a Bedtime Math end
of summer star party. The summer reading program concludes with an Every Hero
Has a Story Carnival featuring games and activities on the back lawn on August
27th.
For a full calendar of summer
activities, including dates and times, visit the library website at http://www.windham.lib.me.us/
or call 892-1908 for information.