Raymond Village Library celebrates summer reading with local heroes - By Michelle Libby

This summer libraries all over the country will roll out their summer reading programs with the theme “Every hero has a story” and Raymond Village Library is no different, but the way they are interpreting the theme is by featuring local heroes and businesses throughout the summer.

“Our community heroes are helping our kids be superheroes,” said Lisa Davison, who is the youth services assistant to the Raymond Village Library and in charge of the summer reading program.

The program starts with a grand kickoff event on Sunday, June 28 at the library, 3 Meadow Road. Jungle Jim’s Magic Super Hero Show will be featured and everyone in attendance gets a goodie bag. Those who can’t make the sign up/kickoff event can get their goodie bag by signing up at the circulation desk.  

“We collaborate with the community and that’s what this is all about,” she said. In addition to police, fire and the sheriff’s offices, programs are set up with Mr. H2O, Classic Paws, Inc. therapy dogs, BKD (Bushido Karate Dojo) and Center Stage dance studio will end the program with a dance party on August 17. The events are for all ages. Older kids can learn about different careers and trades by attending the events, said Davison.

Every week there will be three prizes for different age groups, under five, six to 10 and 11 and older. Each prize will be age appropriate, said Davison. 

Davison took over the role leading the summer program three years ago, but it has been in existence at the library for at least 15 years, she said. The year she started they had approximately 25 participate. Last year there were 106 participants. “My success has been my shows,” she said. The interactive quality of the program gets the children excited to read. 

“The more readers we get, the more they are reading. Everyone feels comfortable and everyone is successful.” 

"It is important that children read during the summer or they may experience what is known as summer slide," said Sally Holt, library director at Raymond Village Library. "Children that read during the summer gain reading skills. Children that do not may slide backward.”

According to the authors of a report from the National Summer Learning Association: "A conservative estimate of lost instructional time is approximately two months or roughly 22 percent of the school year.... It's common for teachers to spend at least a month re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer. That month of re-teaching eliminates a month that could have been spent on teaching new information and skills." 

Raymond Village Library is doing all they can to make reading fun. Sponsors for the program keep cost low for the library, they are Gorham Savings Bank, iDS – Industrial Distribution Services and ECS – Engineered Construction Services. An additional collaborative effort is the evening sky party at Hacker’s Hill wwith Loon Echo Land Trust on August 12^th with a rain date of August 13^th. 

Participants do not have to be Raymond residents. They are encouraged to get a library card. 

Most events will be held outside at the Raymond Village Library, but if it’s raining it will be at the Raymond Public Safety Building. For more information or to check on locations, visit Raymond Village Library on Facebook. The library is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sidebar  Keep Kids Reading

During July and August, the Raymond Village Library is providing an opportunity to “adopt” a children’s book through our Keep Kids Reading summer initiative and present it to the library’s collection.  Books for young children through Young Adults will be on display at the library for you to choose from.                                                                                                            

 Library patrons can purchase a book to honor a special person or event, or to remember a loved one.  Each book is $10.  After a book is purchased, a plaque will be inscribed and permanently placed inside.  For more information, call the library at 655-4283 or email sall.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.