Summer Reading Off to a Great Start

Two weeks into the Watertown Free Public Library summer reading programs and we’re busy every day with programs, helping kids find books and recording what they’ve already read. The children’s department summer reading program runs from July 5 to August 17. The teen department program started June 27 and goes to the August 31 auction. Check the library website (www.watertownlib.org) for full details.

The children’s department has registered 181 children, and over a hundred hours of reading are already logged. Children’s Services Supervisor Caitlin Browne reflects here on what she enjoys most about our summer reading program. “I find it most rewarding to foster new relationships with children, especially the ones who struggle with reading and to give them opportunities to encourage them to learn at their own pace. It is wonderful to see so many different people and families using the library. Summer reading books fly off the shelves as fast as they are put out, and we’ve had a great response to our programs. It really shows how valuable the people of Watertown consider their library to be.”

Our children’s summer reading program this year shares the statewide “One World, Many Stories” theme. Children will log hours toward a donation to Heifer International, a global organization that fights world hunger. This photo from the children’s room shows how kids are marking their hours read. More information on this part of the summer reading program is available on the children’s page of our website. (http://watertownlib.org/catalog/page.asp?id=98)

There are children’s programs every day. Monday mornings feature baby story times.  Tuesdays are for morning music programs and PJ movies at 6. On Wednesday afternoons special groups and performers have been scheduled. Over 125 attended last week’s magic show with illusionist David Garrity. Thursday mornings at 11:30 there’s a story hour at the Arsenal Mall.  In the afternoon there's gardening and Mad Science. Friday at 11 am it’s time to go “unplugged” with games and crafts. Call the children’s department (617-972-6435) for more information and registration.

The teen department has its highest summer reading registration ever with 55 teens participating. Teen Services Supervisor Carey Conkey-Finn is thrilled with the response this year and finds most rewarding that “summer is a time to get to really get to know the kids through their reading.” Chatting with them about their books as they log in hours is great fun for all the librarians. It’s not just about reading the required materials for school, but also developing lifelong reading interests and habits.

Teens have weekly Wii game programs on Monday afternoons, movies Tuesday afternoons and regular crafts and book groups. The teen blog (http://watertownlibraryteens.blogspot.com) is the place for the most updated information. Teen readers log in points for every hour read. These points make teens eligible to win some great prizes at the end of summer August 31 auction.  Come see some of the prizes in the main hall way display case.

E-books on a Kindle or Nook, downloadable audio books from Overdrive, books on CD or Playaways, or an old fashioned paper or hard cover. Reading comes in many forms at your library!