Schools
Wallingford Library's Enchanting Summer Reading Program
It was the enchanted woods theme that enticed the young readers to this year's library summer reading program, with a table-sized board game, prizes, and the big pay-off of doing better in school.
The library’s annual summer reading program wrapped up on Friday, Aug. 17. This year, between 1,400 and 1,500 kids participated, with volunteer help from 60 students in fifth through seventh grade.
Participants registered online and logged their progress on the library’s website. Readers in kindergarten through second grade aimed to read 12 books by the end of the program, third through fifth graders had a goal of six books.
With every book finished, readers could win prizes by playing on the giant game board. Local businesses donated larger raffle grand prizes.
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“People are wonderfully generous,” children's librarian Susan Stewart said, citing Splat Art Studio’s art basket and $100 gift certificate.
Other raffle prizes included a Kindle e-reader and bubble machine.
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Another program for preschool children encouraged families reading together. For every five books or reading sessions, each child earned a wishing ribbon to stick on the wishing well in the library’s children’s room. There was also a grand prize raffle for this program.
When assessing the program’s success by talking to teachers, Stewart said, the library gets an idea of how big an impact continuing to read over the summer makes on students.
“If you continue reading in the summer, you won’t be falling behind in the fall,” said Stewart.
