Manhattan-Elwood Public Library Summer Reading Program

If it’s summer in Manhattan we know two things, it’s going to be hot and the Molloy State Farm team will be partnering with the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library to bring both the young and the mature, the annual Summer Reading Program. This summertime tradition will have a slight twist this year brought on by the need to social distance. Instead of fun guest speakers and reptile shows that just aren’t able to happen, Kevin Molloy and Ashley Hopper, the library director, and the library board of directors came up with a “Virtual Reading” program. Readers of all ages can log their minutes of reading in pursuit of some great prizes. This is the third year of the Molloy State Farm team working with the Manhattan Elwood Public Library Summer Reading Program.

“The library is using new tool called Beanstack to create virtual reading program. It's full of reading challenges and other activities to engage any age. So far, we've recorded over 40,000 minutes read. We also have virtual programs like story times, science experiments and even digital escape rooms. We are excited to have weekly raffle prizes provided by Kevin Molly State Farm,” Hopper said.

“Ashley is perhaps the most passionate person I’ve met in the community when it comes to her library and her team and I love that about her. Year after year she looks to raise the bar on what can be done at the library and even with the virus hitting the country, it didn’t slow her down one bit. When she reached out to me this year, instead of supporting the guests she would bring in she asked that we redirect our funding to age appropriate prizes. I contacted Anita Rodriguez, the owner of Kats Café, who substantially reduced the cost of sixteen gift cards for the kids to purchase Kat’s Café meals. Then I approached Kevin Schuster from Midtown Wine Bar who also greatly reduced some wine baskets for the adults,” Molloy said.

While the library will still take on curbside pickup through the month of July, they will open for inside activity on July 7th and be open with limited hours Tuesday through Saturday. Please stop in and say hello to the team, it’s been a tough few months and the team would enjoy seeing a couple of smiling faces.