The joys of summer – ice cream, swimming pools and … books?
Although summer is a time for most students to escape the rigors of reading , students in Wappingers Falls can “Tune In” to a unique reading program at the Grinnel Library.
The library, located at 2642 East Main St. in the village, hosts its summer reading program beginning July 5 and running through Aug. 12. The program has six components, geared for preschool-aged children through teenagers.
Chris Pattantyus, head of library children’s services, said last week that one element of the program calls for children of any age to read 12 books during the summer, or read for 12 hours during that time.
The participants, she said, can read books, magazines or use audio books on tape, and have to keep track of what they read. Pattantyus said the theme for this year’s program is “Tune In.”
“They get incentives as they go along, like a harmonica and a lip whistle,” Pattantyus said. “If they complete the program, they can get a mock-microphone.”
Another component of the program is the “reading buddies” initiative, where younger children (grades 1-3) pair up with older ones (grades 5 and up). The children meet weekly in the library and read together.
Other program elements include preschool activities, in which children must have 36 library books read to them during the program. After every third book read, the children can select a small prize.
There is also a “Tune In & Read” component for students in grades seven through 12 in which they volunteer to help with the summer program, take a field trip to the radio station WRRV in Poughkeepsie and have a game night in the library and a Chinese cooking class and meal.
“We are trying to encourage more teen involvement in the reading program,” said Pattantyus.
Strong turnout
Jennifer Simmons, director of Grinnell Library, said that the library’s summer program gets a strong turnout, and she usually orders 150 reading cards for participants to fill out as they keep track.
“I think it’s a good way to tie in reading in the summertime,” Simmons said. “It promotes a love of reading.”
According to Simmons, the library is at its busiest during the summer. In July and August, Simmons said, the library gets 12,000 visitors per month. The rest of the year, Simmons said, it gets 9,000-10,000 visitors each month.
“There is an increase (of visitors) with the summer program,” Simmons said.
Anyone interested in participating in Grinnell Library’s summer reading program can sign up in the library. There is no fee to participate.
The library is currently open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Starting in July, summer hours will begin and run from the start of July through the end of August – 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays during July and August.
For more information about the library and its summer reading program, call (845) 297-1506 or visit its Web site, www. grinnell.wappingers.lib.ny.us.