Westfield Memorial Library Summer Reading Program has Begun

(June 23, 2022) Registration for the Westfield Memorial Library Summer Reading Program for tots to adults has begun and will continue until the program ends September 2. Full-service library cardholders can register at http://wmlnj.readsquared.com or through the READsquared app. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.

Children who register for the program track their reading throughout the summer and earn fun prizes. The program is designed to include children of all ages and reading abilities, and includes recommended booklists for each grade. For those children not yet reading on their own, the library has the Little Listeners Program. For independent readers, requirements to earn prizes depend on the child’s grade level.

To join the program designed specifically for tweens and teens, participants must have a full-service Westfield Library card and be entering grades 6-12.

Prizes include a $5 gift card from Starbucks or a local ice cream shop, and a new hardcover book. For every two hours participants read after earning their book, they are entered in a raffle for a grand prize.

Registered adults are entered into a drawing to win one of two gift baskets full of gifts from local businesses. Recommended book lists for adults are available as well.

“Summer reading is critical to help students avoid the summer slide, which is the tendency of students to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year,” said director Allen McGinley. “Reading throughout the summer also helps foster social-emotional development, discover the joy of stories, and elevate the importance of lifelong learning.”

“This is especially critical for younger children, as developing early childhood literacy skills can have a tremendous impact on success in school and future careers,” he continued.

“Our summer reading program uses games, activities, prizes, and events to encourage students to keep reading over the summer. In fact, more than 2,400 Westfield students participated in 2018 and 2019. Summer reading was limited in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, so we are anticipating a strong resurgence in 2022,” said McGinley.

Librarian staff can help participants register and give them a reading record to track their progress.

Currently library hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and closed on Sunday for the summer. The library will be closed Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4 for Independence Day.

Learn more about library programs and services for children and adults on the website www.wmlnj.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/wmlnj. Library programs can also be viewed on the library’s You Tube channel, which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/westfieldmemoriallib, or by clicking on the You Tube icon on the library's website.