Get Lost in Summer Reading at Memorial Hall Library

Memorial Hall Library is celebrating reading for pleasure with summer reading programs for children, teens, and adults.  Visit the library for exciting programs, chances to win prizes, and, of course, find great books!

“ONE WORLD, MANY STORIES” SUMMER READING PROGRAM

The Children’s Room of Memorial Hall Library invites families to spend some time at the library this summer.  Staff has planned programs for many ages from the end of June through the end of August.  Most programs require advanced registration and have limited participation.  Please check the online calendar for sign up information at www.mhl.org/eventcalendar.

For Children through Grade 5

“One World, Many Stories” online summer reading begins week of June 20

Summer’s here so it’s time to join our independent reading program.  Sign up and keep track of how many books or minutes a day you read this summer using the online reading program at www.mhl.org/kids.  When you join you will add a traveler to our world map.   Return each week, and enter to win a free book. Pre-readers may join and count what is read to them.  Don’t miss the weekly trivia challenge on the BK Blog at www.mhl.org/kids/fun.

Concert with Steve Blunt and Marty Kelly – Saturday, June 25 at 2:30pm

Kickoff the “One World, Many Stories” Summer Reading Program at this family concert featuring Steve Blunt and Marty Kelly.  Visit www.steveblunt.com for more information about these local musicians who will share some original, humorous, and multicultural songs and stories.  Join us for a rockin' good time.  Please register online.

Find Our Mascot

Keep your eyes open as you travel around Andover this summer!  Our “One World, Many Stories” mascot will be unveiled the week of June 27.  Our mascot will visit a different store or business in the downtown each week.  Find the mascot, and return to the Children’s Room to fill out an entry with your name, age, and where you saw him.  At the end of each week, we’ll choose a winner for a special prize!  Children 12 & under may submit one entry per week.  Contest ends on August 26. 

Preschool Programs

Story Gardens Preschool Storytimes

The popular preschool storytimes return the week of June 27 for children ages birth-5 and their caregivers.  Story Gardens last approximately a half hour and are offered at different times for different ages.  Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. for ages 2 & 3; Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. for birth-2; Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. for ages 2-5; Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. for ages 3-5; and Thursdays at 11 a.m. for birth-2.  All Story Gardens are drop-in so no registration is needed. 

Pajama Party Evening Storytime

Pajama Party storytime for ages 3-5 will return the week of June 27.  Quiet stories and songs plus a craft will be offered at 6:30 p.m. each week.  Pajamas are welcome!  No registration needed.

Dads and Donuts

Dads and Donuts storytime will continue the last Saturday of each month this summer at 10am.  Come for stories, songs, a simple craft and donuts, juice, and coffee.  All are welcome (moms, dads, grandpas, and grandmas).  No registration is needed.  Dates are June 25, July 30, and August 27.

For more information on these and other programs, or to register for any programs please visit the online calendar at www.mhl.org/eventcalendar, or call The Children’s Room at 978-623-8401 x39.  Visit the kid’s web site for a complete listing of all summer programs at www.mhl.org/kids/programs.htm.  “One World, Many Stories” is sponsored by your local library, the Friends of Memorial Hall Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. 

“YOU ARE HERE” TEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAM

The Teen Summer Reading Program, "You Are Here," kicks off Monday, June 27 at 1pm in the Teen Room.  Come in that day to sign up and enjoy pizza and cookies (until supplies run out).  You'll earn chances to win great prizes, including a Nook, over the course of the summer. 

Read the book “Water Wars” by Cameron Stracher to increase your chances of winning the grand prize!  Then, attend the Author Skype Program with Cameron Stracher at 3pm on July 26.  Other great programs include: F.E.A.T. Future Engineers and Architects of Tomorrow at 3pm on July 7, July 21, and August 4, Bella Beads Workshop at 2pm on August 8, and the Pizza & Pages Book Group at 2pm on July 14 and August 11.  Plus, enter our Teen Water Theme Photo Contest from July 5-28.       

Please note that teen programs are for students entering grades 6 through 12 in September.  Some events require pre-registration.  Check our website for details: http://teens.mhl.org. 

Prizes generously provided by the Friends of Memorial Hall Library.  “You Are Here” is sponsored by your local library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

WHY SHOULD KIDS GET TO HAVE ALL THE FUN?  SUMMER READING FOR ADULTS

Adults are invited to participate in our adult summer reading program, “Novel Destinations” from June 20 through August 19.  To participate, read or listen to a book (yes, audio books count too), and visit the library to complete an entry form for our grand prize drawings at the end of the summer.  The more you read the more chances you have to win!  Participants may read anything they enjoy.  To find new reading ideas or authors, visit our Reading Room page at www.mhl.org/read for library staff picks, bestseller lists, book reviews, and more.  Keep track of your summer reading from the comfort of your own home.  Join our online summer reading program at http://mhl.org/noveldestinations to log your books and to submit online reviews.  Select “Andover,” click the “Adults 2011” tab, and click the “Sign Me Up” button to register.  Print your logs, and bring them to the library so you’ll remember your titles for the grand prize entry slips. 

Join us for “Novel Destinations” movies over the summer.  These movies are for adult audiences.  For each movie you attend, you’ll get a bonus prize ticket.  Enter to win all four of the movies shown this summer after we watch them (viewed one time each).  The movie nights will be on Mondays July 18, July 25, August 1, and August 8 at 7 p.m. Visit the library to see which travel/destination themed movies we’re featuring.

“Novel Destinations" prizes are provided by The Friends of Memorial Hall Library, Yella Grille, and Palmers Restaurant & Tavern.  “Novel Destinations” is sponsored by your local library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

For complete summer reading information for all ages, visit www.mhl.org, or call 978-623-8401, x31 or 32.  Programs will be held at Memorial Hall Library, 2 North Main St., Andover, MA.