Above: The Southborough Library is using the Summer Reading program to encourage kids to “Plant a Seed” by reading over school break (top image from program promotions)
This week, the Southborough Library launched its annual Summer Reading program.
Kids are encouraged to sign up to log their reading and participate in the fun. As usual, there will be activities and challenges to engage kids each time they visit the Children’s Room.
As always, the library will draw kids in with special programs including entertainers, outdoor story times, and craft programs.
Here is an overview of the Summer Reading program and related special activities.
[Note: This post is about programs for younger children. Stay tuned for a post on the Summer Reading Program activities for Tweens & Teens.]
Summer Reading Basics
Registration: Sign up in person in the Children’s Room.
Reading Logs: Kids are encouraged to track their time spent reading in logs you can pick up in the Children’s room. For every 30 minutes of reading, a “leaf” will be added to the “tree” on the Children’s room wall. Assistant Library Director Miss Kim challenges, “Can we get enough leaves to go around the whole room?”
Themed Challenge: In keeping with this year’s theme, “Plant a Seed, Read”, kids will be able to pick up to “5 petals” out of a jar with a special task. The completed petals can be pasted to a sheet. Plus, they’ll get a stamp for each weekly scavenger hunt they complete. Kids who get enough petals and stamps will qualify for a free book!
Prizes: Earn raffle tickets for prize baskets by bringing in reading logs, completing activities, and scavenger hunts.
[Editor’s Note: The free Summer Reading Raffle is separate from the Raffle Baskets that the Friends of the Library are selling tickets to as a fundraiser through July 6th.]
Ducks: The popular rubber ducks are ready for another summer of traveling! Check out a duck from the library and take it on a trip or hang out around the house. Report back on where your duck has been and share pictures!
Nature Education that Require Pre-Registration
These special programs fit nicely with this summer’s theme. Each has limited space attendance and require advance sign up. They also have more tailored age limitations than most of the kids’ programs this summer.
Three of them are programs through the continuing nature and watershed education series run by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Seeds on the Move
Thursday, July 9th, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
For kids ages 6–10 years old. DCR will explain how a single seed can travel miles just to find the perfect spot to grow. Through classification and experiments, discover clever ways seeds fly, float, and even catch a ride across our watershed. Take home some native seeds to plant and grow on your own. (Click here to register.)
Nature Story Time: Over in the Garden
Tuesday, July 21st, 11:00 – 11:45 am
For kids ages 3–6 years old. DCR’s storytime for preschoolers use stories movement and craft to teach kids about nature. Next month’s garden story theme explores how every living thing needs water to grow. (Click here to register.)
Plantmobile: Plant Parts and Functions
Thursday, July 30th, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
For PreK to Grade 5. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society Plantmobile will be visiting the library for a hands-on education program about plant parts and functions. (Click here to register.)
Soil Stories
Thursday, August 6th, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
For kids ages 6–10 years old. DCR will Dig into soil science and examine samples of soil of different soil types, This hands-on program looks at soil composition that tells stories of the earth beneath your feet. (Click here to register.)
Nature Story Time: Over in the Garden
Monday, August 24th, 11:00 – 11:45 am
For kids ages 3–6 years old. DCR’s storytime for preschoolers use stories movement and a craft to teach kids about nature. The August story theme is discovering what’s in the pond over and under the water. (Click here to register.)
Self-Care Comics Camp
I’ve already posted about this special weeklong series of free morning camps for grades 2-8 with returning graphic novelist Jonathan Todd. (Registration is required.) To read about that, click here.
Weekly Programs
These are drop-in programs.
Outdoor Story Times (with bubbles)
Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:15 pm, through August 12th (except for July 22nd), Library lawn
Bring a blanket and listen to picture books read aloud on the lawn, followed by some bubble chasing! Each week features a different story theme. (In the case of inclement weather, the event will move to the Children’s Room.)
Kids Jam
Fridays, 11:00 – 11:30 am, through August 28th (except for July 3rd), Library lawn
Best for newborns through preschool age. Join Amy Kaufman sing a variety of traditional and popular children’s songs, accompanied by her mountain dulcimer. Kids are invited to dance and sing along! (It will be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.) (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.)
Save the Dates for these Special Events
The summer program includes booked entertainers and planned special stand-alone events to draw kids into the library this summer.
“Fun-tastic” Beasts with Animal World Experience
Tuesday, June 30th, 11:00 – 12:00 pm, main floor
Animal World Experience will be bringing a variety of live animals to the library. Children will learn about the animals and have a chance to pet some of them. All welcome. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Annual Fourth of July Parade
Thursday, July 2nd, 11:00 – 11:45 am
All kids are invited to join the library’s annual Fourth of July parade to the Town House! We’ll have patriotic accessories for parade participants and refreshments afterwards. All ages welcome and no registration is required.
Science Heroes: Digging It!
Tuesday, July 7th, 4:30 – 5:15 pm, main floor
Science Heroes returns with an interactive storytelling program best for ages 4+. This year, they’ll engage audience volunteers to help with “exciting experiments about the changing states of matter, pressure, and more — while raising a shovel to scientists who work with dirt!” Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Story Time with an Alpaca
Monday, July 13th, 10:30 – 11:30 am. Library lawn
Join us on the library lawn for an alpaca story and a visit with an alpaca from Harvard Alpaca Ranch. Following the story, the children will learn about alpacas and have a chance to pet the alpaca. No registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Mr. Vinny’s Bubble Show
Tuesday, July 22nd, 3:00 – 4:15 pm, Library lawn
Join Mr. Vinny on the library lawn for lots of giant bubbles and fun! All welcome and no registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Storyteller Diane Edgecomb presents “Digging Dinosaurs”
Tuesday, July 28th, 4:30 – 5:15 pm, main floor
Storyteller Diane Edgecomb returns to the library with lots of tales about dinosaurs! These interactive stories will include learning Dinosaur Sign Language and playing Dinosaur Jeopardy! All ages welcome. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Ed Popielarczyk’s Magical Moments
Tuesday, August 11th, 4:30 – 5:15 pm, main floor
Ed Popielarczyk returns to the library with a magic show that contains lots of laughs and audience participation! For all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
End of Summer Reading Ice Cream Party
Thursday, August 18th, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Library lawn
Celebrate the end of summer reading with ice cream and games on the library lawn! All are welcome and no registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Kindergarten Party
Thursday, August 20th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, main floor
This event is for all children about to enter Kindergarten. The annual party will feature stories, games, and a craft followed by refreshments. Children can meet other children who will be in the same class at school. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Drop-in Programs
Stop by the Children’s Room any time during these two large time blocks for fun.
- Drop-in Lego Building – Tuesday, July 14th, 10:30 am – 5:00 pm (Creations will be displayed in the Children’s Room)
- Drop-in Board Games – Tuesday, August 4th, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
