Youth Summer Programs At The Booth Library

By Tanjua Damon

Looking for something to do this summer or need a break from the beach? Stop by the C.H. Booth Library and see what is cooking for summer programs for kids.

The library has brought back some oldies but goodies, but has also added a few new programs to its summer schedule this year. Children’s Librarian Alana Meloni thinks there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Summer Reading Kick-Off will be Wednesday, June 26, starting at 10 am. This year’s theme, “It All Happened Under the Magic Tent,” will feature a production by the C.H. Booth Troupers, a group of students who have been working under the direction of Cynthia Haym for several months on a production that is related to books and reading. The Friends of the Library sponsored this program.

“It’s an original production. It is for a wide range audience, especially younger children,” Ms Meloni said. “It should be fun. It seemed like a perfect way to kickoff summer reading by using the kids we have here at the library.”

There will also be a children’s book sale on June 26 organized by The Friends of the Library. The sale will be in the Community Meeting Room from 10 am to 1 pm. Books for sale are “cheap, cheap, cheap,” Ms Meloni said. Children often find books that they can read for the Summer Reading Program at the library.

The Summer Reading Program is open to children ages 4 through grade five. Students can read books from June 26 to August 16. There is a $2 registration fee for single entrants and a $5 fee for families. Participants can register any time during the eight-week program. The library has 30 volunteers in place to listen to participants’ talk about the books they read. The volunteers will be available at the library during the hours it is open.

“The purpose is to keep them reading all summer,” Ms Meloni said. “And to have them talk about what they are reading.”

There are incentives for children who are up for the challenge. The first time a child reads five books a slice of pizza can be earned, ten books read is worth a Happy Meal coupon, 15 books is worth an ice cream, and 20 books is enough to earn a free paperback book and the reader’s name on the Wall of Fame. The incentives are available the first time the students reach the particular book count.

Middle School Madness is for students in grades six through nine. Students are asked to read in 50-page increments. Students are provided with lottery tickets for every 50 pages they read. At the end of the summer, August 16, prizes will be drawn from the lottery tickets. Numerous prizes are available including haircuts, manicures, movie tickets, games, and books. Last year more than 50,000 pages were read.

The Friends of the Library have made possible a new program entitled, “Fun with Spanish Story Time.” This program is for children age 2 and up. A program will be offered Mondays, July 8, 15, 22, 29 and August 5 from 10 to 10:45 am for 2- to 5-year-olds, and 11 to 11:45 am for children age 6 and up. It will be a story time filled with themes with stories and songs. It will be an opportunity for children to be exposed to another language and culture, Ms Meloni said. Eliette Matos will direct the program.

PJ Time will be back again this year with Ms Meloni and Marie Walker. The entire family should come dressed for bed to enjoy puppet shows and stories. PJ Time will be held Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, and August 7 from 6:30 to 7:15 pm.

Stories and Crafts is a program for children ages 5 to 8. It will be held Tuesdays, July 9, 16, 20 and August 6 from 11 am to noon. Registration is required. It will involved a series of stories and activities and crafts that go along with the stories. Mimi Morin, Philomena Conti, and Jessica Horvath are running the program. Children need to register for this program, but do not have to register for each session.

Stories and More is another program involving stories and crafts. Cathy Rouche will run the program Thursdays, July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm for children ages six to eight. This program is filled with hands-on activities with crafts to bring home. There will be an Eric Carle day, fun with color, dinosaur, and I Spy day.

Liz Arneth will offer several book discussions over the summer of Nutmeg nominees. Call the library for more information.

“Where else can you have this much fun with such great benefit for children,” Ms Meloni said. “Come to the library this summer enjoy reading and a fun craft. Take a break from the beach and the sun.”

For more information about the programs contact the library at 426-4533.