Video Games on the Big Screen Kick off Library Program

With the help of a grant from the , the schools are starting a program of fun things for kids to do on Mondays. The program starts today, and it's free!

Today, it's video games on the big screen, says Julie Perry, media specialist for the Montville High School library.

Perry says her son and some friends have loaned her some very cool games, and kids are encouraged to bring their own. The library has a huge screen for kids to play on - and what's better than games on a giant screen?

Perry says the activities were chosen after kids took a survey at the end of the school year. More than 200 responded, and the program was designed around what they said they'd like to do.

The Montville High School library will be open on Mondays from noon to 3 p.m. The programs will start at 1 p.m. and run for about an hour.

Next Monday, it's a "Hunger Games" party. Kids will "participate in interactive survival games and celebrate this fantastic book. Reading book prior to event is optional."

"Hunger Games"?

"It's the best young-adult book I've read in many years," Perry says. Written by Suzanne Collins, the book is set in an alternative society, where the United States once was. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district are chosen to fight to the death, and the competition is televised.

Strategy is key to winning the Hunger Games in the book and in the library's program.

"It's a great story," Perry says, adding tht it's one of the library's most popular books. The series is the most popular series in the library.

July 25, the activity is "Silent Library," where kids remain absolutely silent while competing in challenges. This is based on a popular MTV series, Perry says.

The challenge is set on a card the team picks. While the team is working on the challenge, on the program a machine gauges the amount of noise the team makes - but the team is in the dark about their noise levels.

If the noise level hits a certain point, the team loses.

On Aug. 1, there's free ice cream and games, Perry says. Video games and card games and more will be available. And the kids will make their own sundaes.

The program has some money for ice cream, but if anyone wants to donate funds or ice cream, it would be welcome! 

Aug. 8, the final installment of the program, will engage kids in a pizza taste-off. The four pizza spots in town - Friendly Pizza, Laf's, Pa's Pizza and Oakdale Pizza all are donating pizzas. Kids will taste them without knowing where the pizza is from, and will judge the Best Pizza in Montville!

Perry says the program came about because all kids just don't have access to libraries. While the is a wonderful institution, she says, its hours are limited by its budget. The open library program will supplement Raymond Library's availability.

She knows that eight kids are definitely coming to the video game activity on Monday, and thinks it probably will be more like 15. The more the better, Perry says.

"I'm praying that we get kids!"

The program at Montville High School is part of a larger effort to open libraries to kids over the summer. To read about which libraries are open when, click .