Summer Reading Programs are on @ your local library

Summer reading programs at your local public library will not be cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many libraries are going virtual. Summer reading participants will be able to register and log their reading progress online using READsquared summer reading platform. The New Hampshire State Library is offering this online service at NO COST to public libraries statewide. The READsquared offering is being paid for with special Institute of Museum and Library Services FY 20 CARES Act federal funds and will be supplied to all participating New Hampshire Public Libraries at no cost for two years until the end of May 2022.

Tami Schroeder of the Chesley Memorial Library feels going online for Summer Reading is “a safe alternative to our patrons.” Many other libraries, such as the Hill Library in Strafford, Josiah Carpenter Library in Pittsfield, Chichester Town Library in Chichester, Oscar Foss Memorial Library in Barnstead, and the Pembroke Town Library are using READsquared for their Summer Reading Program. Summer Reading participants using the online program will be able to log their reading from home. The online program also offers missions, challenges, mini-games, and other activities to help earn more points. Participants of all ages can benefit from tracking their reading as well as earning badges and prizes.

New Hampshire libraries participate in the national Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), an organization that provides programming ideas for public libraries to use for their summer reading programs. The theme for this year’s summer reading is “Imagine Your Story.” The Oscar Foss Memorial Library will be challenging their participants to imagine their own stories. Upon registration, patrons can come to the library and pick up a bag that includes a notebook, a pen, some crayons and stickers. You can create your story any way you’d like, illustration, art journaling, scrapbooking, short stories, journal entries or poems. When you complete the program, journals can be turned in for a prize and will be put on display for a month at the library!

The Chesley Memorial Library will be challenging our participants to “Imagine Your Stories” based upon this year’s theme. Upon registration, patrons can use our Overdrive and Libby apps to get eBooks and audiobooks. We’ve also included some Story Time videos on our website as well to help the younger kids reach their goals. The Pembroke Town Library is expanding its Summer Reading Program to all ages. “Teens and adults should also get into the fun,” said Pembroke Town Library Director Tim Sheehan.

The Chichester Town Library will be challenging their participants to imagine and write a story. Split into three groups, K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 can write a story for a first place prize in each of the three categories. The winning stories will be put into a book to display at the library. Upon registration, participants can come to the library and pick up a book bag that includes a notebook, a pencil, activities, a sticker, a fake tattoo and a bookmark. All participants of the reading program get a prize at the completion of the Summer Reading Program. We will be uploading Storytime videos this summer on our Facebook page.

Why should you participate in a Summer Reading Program? Megan Grondin of the Hill Library has an answer for that question. “Because it is fun! It is also the first step to incorporate reading into your life. Children who do not regularly read can be drawn in by the incentives, and go on to become lifelong readers. Reading for pleasure helps to improve reading and comprehension skills. Students can avoid losing skill levels due to lack of practice over the summer. And being part of your library’s program can introduce you to new friends, stories, and services at your library.”

Summer Reading Program Specifics

Please note that the programs below may be restricted to each library's cardholders. Check with each library for more information.

Allenstown Public Library's Summer Reading Program is for children ages infant to 14. Registration begins online June 24th and more information will be available on our website allenstownlibrary.org.

Chesley Memorial Library has program registration and participation information available on our website www.chesleylib.com .

Chichester Town Library will have Summer Reading Programs for children, teens and adults. The programs run from July 13-August 24th. Call us at 603-798-5613 for more information. Also, check out our Facebook page for more information and we will be sending out an email about this exciting summer program.

Elkins Public Library in Canterbury offers many ways to participate with your Library! Fluttering fairies, helpful elves and garden creatures star in these programs designed for babies, toddlers, school aged children and teens! Our summer will feature opportunities for all to engage with the Library through Google Meet, Zoom, YouTube, Facebook Live and virtual programming. Be sure to check www.elkinspubliclibrary.org, Facebook, Instagram and the town-wide email regularly for information and ways to participate this summer! Head to the website to download your Summer Reading packet, filled with many exciting ways to participate!

Hill Library in Strafford will have Summer Reading Programs for children and adults. The programs run from July 13 - Aug. 21. Call us at 603-664-2800 for more information.

Josiah Carpenter in Pittsfield will run a program for all ages from June 22 - August 17.

Oscar Foss Memorial Library’s program will be for all ages. Our program is categorized by early learning, elementary age, middle school and teens, and adult. Our program will begin 7/13 and will end on 8/3.

Pembroke Town Library’s Summer Reading Program begins June 17 and ends July 29. The program is open to all ages. For more info and to register, go to our Summer Reading page.

Philbrick-James Library’s program for all ages launches July 13 and ends August 14. We will have “grab and go” activities for children, and a Summer Reading Bingo competition for adults, Please see our website for further details as we get closer to go time! philbrickjameslibrary.org

Virtual Story Times

As a means to keep children and their parents safe, many New Hampshire libraries have taken their popular story times online. The Hill Library will have weekly virtual storytimes on their YouTube Channel. Josiah Carpenter in Pittsfield will have weekly virtual story times and activities posted on their Facebook page. The Oscar Foss Memorial Library will have virtual story times every Wednesday. Elkins Public Library, starting June 22: Join Mrs. Baker every Monday and Tuesday for a preschool/toddler/baby program including books, flannel boards, finger rhymes and easy songs to sing-a-long! These virtual programs will be posted on our website and Facebook page and archived on YouTube. View them whenever you want and subscribe and click the “bell” for notifications to get videos sent to your inbox.

Marie Mehegan of the Pembroke Town Library is offering Story Time with stories, music and a simple craft from June 30 to July 28. Story Time will be virtual via the Pembroke Town Library YouTube channel. Register for Story Time at pembrokenhtownlibrary@gmail.com and we will put together a bag with the supplies for the simple craft. Bags will be ready for pick-up the day before Tuesday Story Time, as long as the supplies last.

The Chesley Memorial Library is not currently offering virtual story time but there are several authors and illustrators that are doing picture book reading and activities that can be found linked from our website: www.chesleylib.com

Summer Events

Please note that the programs below may be restricted to each library's cardholders. Check with each library for more information.

Each week Josiah Carpenter will have a different fairy tale character hidden somewhere in downtown Pittsfield. Any who spots the character will earn a raffle entry.

Oscar Foss Memorial Library will offer weekly take and make crafts for early learners and elementary age children, “Oscarwarts Academy” for middle schoolers and teens will involve weekly video lessons from Lindsey on Herbology (studying the herbs and plants that grow in NH), Transfiguration (baking a Harry Potter themed recipe), Charms (making jewelry) and more! We will also offer two take and make craft kits for adult participants.

Chichester Town Library will offer weekly make and take crafts for children following the theme Imagine your Story! We will offer weekly Storytimes on our Facebook page, where we will sing songs too. Information can be found on our Facebook page and in an email. If time permits we will be offering a Storywalk too on our Library grounds.

Chesley Memorial Library is not currently offering any programs within the library. However, you can visit the webpage and check out some of the things that are being offered through the libraries free to our patrons at this time by visiting www.chesleylib.com

Elkins Public Library in Canterbury features:

Every Wednesday: After-school Meet-up! Since March, a wonderful group of middle schoolers have been “meeting” on Google Meet with Rose, Sue and Mrs. Baker. We meet every Wednesday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. This group is best suited for humans ages 13 to 16.

The Book Wizards Book Club: meets every Wednesday at 2:30 to discuss mid-grade chapter books that we are reading. This group is designed for any individual age 6 and up that is interested in reading and discussing chapter books alone or with a caregiver.

If you are interested in joining these groups and find out what to read next; let us know by emailing Mrsbaker@elkinspubliclibrary.org or calling 783-4386 or message us on Facebook.

Every Thursday starting June 25 until the end of July, Mrs. Baker will post a program on YouTube at 10:00Am for a fun and exciting activity involving puppets, crafts and music related to our nationwide theme, Imagine Your Story! All programs will be on YouTube to watch whenever you want or to watch again! Follow along in this Summer Reading Packet for crafts, reading suggestions and more.

July 02: A Hero’s Journey: You are all a hero in Mrs. Baker’s eyes, she is so proud of you! Let’s design your own code of honor and a proper shield and sword. Prepare to joust some bubbles and defend your castle!

July 09: Magical Creatures: Dragons are often wise beings at the heart of stories from China, Japan and fearsome creatures in European and African mythologies. In Mayan culture, the dragon Quetzalcoatl was worshipped as a god. Fantasy Dragon Eggs are easy to make and fun to keep, we will show you how! Come see Mrs. Baker’s own gnome garden and fairy house.

July 16: Timeless Tales: You have a great story to tell and we want to hear it! This week we focus on writing and telling our stories. Join Mrs. Baker around the campfire to hear some tales. We will build our own family trees and learn a lot about ourselves.

SPECIAL EVENT: July 23 - MAREK BENNETT - COMICS WORKSHOP!

NH-based cartoonist, musician, and educator Marek Bennett leads discovery-based Comics Workshops for all ages throughout New England and the world beyond! His comics work includes the graphic novel series, The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby, the local history webcomic LIVE FREE AND DRAW!. among others! Join us July 23 from 10 to 12 on Facebook Live to learn how to tell your own story through drawing! This program is for all ages, however children age 5-8 will welcome the assistance of a caregiver. Take a look at his website at https://marekbennett.com/befor... to get ready for this amazing event! As we get closer to the event, we will make sure that you have the supplies ready to learn to draw your own comic book!

The Pembroke Town Library is offering the following programs:

July 8 at 6:30pm: Drive-in Singalong with Ms. Marie and a Story Walk on the library campus. Park every other parking slot. Stay in the car or in the empty slot to the right of the car during the singalong. The Story Walk will start right after the singalong. We will read/walk "Duck on a Bike." There is a secret activity on every page. Families will stay 6 ft. apart for the Story Walk to keep everyone safe. In case of rain this event will be cancelled.

July 15 at 6:30pm: ABRAKADABRA! Once upon a Time Magic Show with Mike Bent. Hilarious comedy, amazing magic, crazy puppets, music and more. This will be an on-line event. Please, register at pembrokenhtownlibrary@gmail.com and we will email you the specifics.

July 22 at 6:30pm: STORIES ON THE WILD SIDE with Squam Lake Science Center. Reading and Science come together in this fun program with 3 live, native, NH wild animals. This will be an on-line event. Please, register at pembrokenhtownlibrary@gmail.com and we will email you the specifics.

Social Distancing Events

Some libraries are trying to have events that don’t involve an electronic screen. At the Josiah Carpenter Library in Pittsfield families can pick up a weekly activity packet for preschool or elementary age children. The Oscar Foss Memorial Library families can pick up take and make crafts each week, as well as using our new story walk, located on the Two Rivers Trail behind the library. The Allenstown Public Library will be offering weekly take and make crafts as well as take home STEM kits. The Pembroke Town Library will host on July 8 at 6:30pm: Drive-in Singalong with Ms. Marie and a Story Walk on the library campus. The Library is asking participants to park in every other parking slot. Stay in the car or in the empty slot to the right of the car during the singalong. The Story Walk will start right after the singalong. We will read/walk "Duck on a Bike." There is a secret activity on every page. Families will stay 6 ft. apart for the Story Walk to keep everyone safe.

Philbrick-James Library will be offering “grab and go” summer reading activities, a storywalk, and more fun that is currently being planned to conduct safely.

Chichester Town Library is working on a Storywalk but it may not be ready until late July. We are offering make and take activities to take home weekly. We are also working and planning on an Adult Bingo game. Last, we will offer Facebook Storytimes on a weekly basis.

Contact your local library for summer events and services.