Library summer reading programs were established to help prevent what is known as “summer slide” — the idea that elementary academic skills wane over the long break. By encouraging reading with fun activities, librarians hope to keep these mental skills exercised and in shape.
At the Acton Memorial Library, the summer reading program is the highlight of our year. The children’s room is bustling with families, performers are visiting, and we have activities just about every day of the week. Workshops range from STEM activities like the science of ice cream making, to games like Dungeons & Dragons and Mario Kart racing. The library also hosted a stuffed animal sleepover, in which children allowed their stuffie companions to spend the night at the library while Ms. Amy and Ms. Rachel attempted to keep them out of trouble.
Other highlights included a visit from a baby animal petting farm, a tie-dying workshop, and a slime-making workshop. One program that is unique to the Acton Memorial Library involves Reading to Farm Animals. In cooperation with the local Liberty Tree Farm, children have the opportunity to practice their reading skills to goats and horses. The animals are great listeners and completely non-judgmental.
And throughout the entire summer, the library runs the Reading and Beading program at both the Acton Memorial Library and at the West Acton Citizens’ Library. Children receive a reading log in which they record their reading time in increments of 15 minutes. The more they read, the more beads they get. The beads also get fancier as they accrue more time and, at certain milestones, they also acquire other incentives. Thanks to many local sponsors, the reading program added raffle tickets this year.
For every four hours of reading, each participant received an additional raffle ticket. They could then place this ticket in one of twelve bins for a chance at prizes. These included gift cards to local venues like Boda Borg, West Side Creamery, We Rock the Spectrum, Kimball Farms, Launch Leominster, The Butterfly Place, and Level 99. Of course, because it is a library, they also gave away bundles of books.
All of this reading culminated in our first ever Summer Reading Carnival right in our own backyard at the Acton Memorial Library. Librarians from all of our departments contributed to making and running carnival events, including games, face painting, and a dunk tank. Some of our trustees also got into the action by running the snow cone machine and helping to set up. Delicious meals were available to purchase from the food truck Twizted Pickle. The carnival ended with a twilight concert by the talented duo, Rule of Two. The entire afternoon created a strong sense of community.
Library employees say that libraries are at their best when they help bring communities together; the staff enjoy the Summer Reading Program because it gives them the opportunity to get to know their patrons better. There tends to be more time to talk to both children and their parents. The library is the one place where everything is free and all are welcome. As the motto on our logo states, “Stories Connect Us.”
Robert Carter is the head of Children’s Services at the Acton Libraries.
