Summer reading fun at the Windham Public Library - By Elizabeth Richards

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 15^th to August 28^th, 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 27^th. 

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.