Bernardsville Library Summer Reading Kicks Off

Get ready for a summer of heroic events, joyous journeys, and exciting explorations at Bernardsville Public Library. The summer reading theme is “Every Hero Has a Story” and adventure is in the air! Kicking off the fun is award-winning magician and comedian, Brian Richards, on Monday, June 22 at 7:00 pm.

Children and teens can begin registering for Bernardsville Library’s Summer Reading program on Monday, June 22. Registration continues throughout the summer, but those who register between June 22 and June 29 win a free book. Participants will earn prizes for reading or listening to materials of their choice from books to magazines, comics and more.

Students can move backward academically during the summer if reading and learning are not continued and reading achievement declines as well. But if students read just six books over the summer, they can maintain their current reading level, and, if they read between ten and twenty books of their own choosing, they can actually increase reading achievement.

In addition to encouraging reading, the Library is offering more than 140 programs for children and teens this summer. Monday nights are magical with programs that highlight the heroes we all want to meet: live sled dogs, a sports underdog turned champion, a performance of The Sword in the Stone, a cartooning workshop on super heroes (advance sign-up is required), an environmental hero and more.

For elementary school children, heroes abound in our second summer of the “Lunch Bunch” led by Library Director April Judge for children in Grades 2-4. Each week on Wednesdays, July 1 through August 12 at 1:00 pm, the group will explore heroes through stories, poems and activities. Children should bring their lunches and the library will provide drinks and a treat.

Construction, explosion, potions and more! Children entering 1st and 2nd grade who like hands-on activities will want to join the “Curious Kids Activity Lab” on Mondays, June 29 through August 10 at 1:30 pm. The children will listen to a story and then explore and experiment based on the story. Elementary school children can “Meet the Music” on Thursday evenings, July 2 through August 13 at 7:00 pm. Each week will feature a different artist, type of musician, or genre of music. We will share stories, listen to music and meet some live musicians.

Younger children from birth through preschool can enjoy a variety of story times each week including and “Stories by Starlight” every Wednesday, July 1 through August 12 at 7:00 pm. Do you have an active three- to five-year-old, or maybe you are just looking for something different? Try our new “Reading Rumpus” program that focuses as much on doing as it does on listening, Thursdays, July 2 through August 13 at 10:30 am.

Preteens and teens can enjoy a variety of activities from decorating cupcakes to working with 3D pens at the Library. We have plenty of opportunities for summer volunteers, and we encourage teens and preteens to get an early start on their community service requirements.

You can also find the Library around town this summer. Look for story times at the pool and at local businesses throughout the summer. For a detailed listing of these and many other programs, check the library website, www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, the library newsletter, or pick up a summer reading brochure for more details on programs during the summer months.

There is no charge to attend the programs, and all these activities are drop-in with the exception of the cartooning workshop on August 3 which requires advance registration. Call the library at 908-766-0118 for further information.