The summer reading program will teach children about building a better world, physically and metaphorically
The Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library will kick off its Summer Reading Program on Monday, June 26, celebrating the theme “building a better world.” The summer series will focus on making the world a better place physically, by talking about architecture and construction, as well as metaphorically, by learning acceptance and understanding for cultures around the globe.
Youth Services Librarian Sarah Kramer said the program encourages children to enjoy the library and all it has to offer, while also celebrating summer.
The theme, which was provided by the Collaborative Summer Library Program — “a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, teens and adults at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries” — will be incorporated into programs such as story-times, arts and crafts, concerts and more.
The kick-off event will feature an interactive performance for children ages 3 to 11 at 10:30 a.m. by award-winning duo “Two of a Kind” singing songs about making the world a better place, as well as songs about building, reading and construction.
Following the concert, children can attend the summer celebration event, “Build a Better Ice Cream Sundae.”
Other summer programs include the new “Build With Us” class, held on various Fridays through August, allowing children to build with numerous materials, including sugar cubes, Popsicle sticks and toothpicks and marshmallows. For younger children, a royal ball will be held on July 19, as part of a week of castle stories and activities. The kids, ages 3 to 10, will have the chance to dress up as princesses, princes and knights, learn about castles and enjoy a royal snack.
To close the program in August, with a date to be determined, children can enjoy a concert by Jesse Rivera, singing songs in Spanish and English.
“It will be a really beautiful way to close the program,” Kramer said. “It will teach the kids about other cultures and how much fun it can be to learn about them.”
Kramer said the summer reading program is an important opportunity to teach children how exciting and fun the library is, which will hopefully create lifelong learners and a love for reading.
“The program gives them an opportunity to see that reading and interacting with the library is fun,” Kramer said. “For kids that don’t already know the library is an awesome place to be, this is just more encouragement. We try to incentivize keeping track of what you’re reading by filling out a book log for a chance to win some prizes.”
New this year, the book log is designed as more of a scavenger hunt, encouraging children and teenagers to expand into new genres and sections of the library. Topics will include reading a book with an author who shares the same first initial as you, reading a biography or autobiography and reading a fairy tale.
“If you learn to love books and interacting with information and knowledge as a child, you carry that with you your whole life,” Kramer said. “If you learn very young that libraries are important and a fun place to be, you might be coming here when you’re little for storytime and activities, but when you get older, you’ll know you can come here for homework help or assistance with research, or things that might have more of an impact on your adult life.”
Many of the library events and classes require advanced registration online, while the age restrictions vary from program to program. All programs require a Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library card, with the exception of the Truck Night on July 26, welcoming anyone to visit and view police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and more.
For more information on library programs or to register for a class, visit www.hegganlibrary.org, or call (856) 589–3334.
The Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library is located at 606 Delsea Drive.
