This week was the launch of the Southborough Library’s Summer Reading program.
Kids are invited to start signing up to log their reading and participate in the fun. As usual, there will be activities and challenges to engage kids each time they visit the Children’s Room. Plus, this summer’s highlights includes entertainers, regular outdoor story times, and craft programs.
Most of the fun is open to most without pre-registration.
Here is an overview of the Summer Reading program and related special activities. Mark your calendars!
Summer Reading Basics
Registration: Sign up in person in the Children’s Room or online (here).
Prizes: Registered participants can enter to win Summer Reading prizes each time they check out items from the library. New winners are drawn every Monday.
Reading Logs: Kids are encouraged to track their time spent reading either in logs you can pick up in the Children’s room or online through Beanstack. (If you are using the written logs, bring them in with you when you visit so staff can track kids’ minutes throughout the summer!)
Book Bingo: Bingo sheets kids can take home challenge them to complete different activities (many related to reading).
Activities in the Children’s Room: Activity stations will be refreshed each week. Plus, kids can play “I Spy in the Library” to hunt for pictures of favorite summer things, relocated weekly.
Ducks: The popular rubber ducks are ready for another summer of traveling! Check out a duck from the library and take it on a trip or hang out around the house. Report back on where your duck has been and share pictures!
Special Weeklong Program
The Southborough Stories Project
Monday, July 24th through Friday, July 28th, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Registration is required for this free program for kids ages 8-12 years old. (And an expectation to attend all five days.)
Graphic novelist and artist Jonathan Todd returns to the library to hold this one week program in creating graphic novels. Kids will work with local seniors to learn about events in history, and then learn how to create a short comic book based on those events.
Following the class, the instructor will make copies of each book and a reception will be held for the children, their families, and the seniors.
Click here to register. (Support for this program was provided by the Southborough Community Fund, a fund of the Foundation for MetroWest.)
Special Events
I already posted about the first event, which took place this morning. Here are the other entertainers and special stand-alone events lined up for kids this summer.
Storyteller Diane Edgecomb
Tuesday, June 27th, 4::00 – 4:45 pm, Library Lawn (or Main Floor if inclement weather)
Storyteller Diane Edgecomb returns to the Southborough Library with “Join In”, a compilation of musical stories encouraging children to dance, sing, and join right in! All ages welcome and no registration is required. Please bring a blanket or chair. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library and Fay School.)
Fourth of July Parade
Friday, June 29th, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Participants gather in the Children’s Room, then march up Common Street through the Town House and back.
Dress in red, white, and blue to join our Fourth of July Parade to the Town House! Flags, noisemakers, and other decorations will be provided and refreshments will be served after the parade. All ages, no registration required. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.)
“Tromp Through the Swamp” with Musician Tom Sieling
Tuesday, July 11th, 4:00 – 5:00 pm,, Library Lawn (or Main Floor if inclement weather)
Musician Tom Sieling will return to the Southborough Library to perform “a top 10 lineup of the world’s most fun, participatory kids’ songs” where there will be more dancing and moving than sitting! Please bring a blanket or chair for the lawn. All ages welcome, no registration required. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library and Fay School.)
Rainforest Reptiles
Thursday, July 20th, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Library Main Floor
Kids will see and learn about a variety of reptiles when Rainforest Reptiles visits the library! Possible animals that may visit include a snake, a turtle, and others. Best for ages four and up. No registration is required. (Sponsored by Fay School and the Friends of the Southborough Library. .)
Pumpernickel Puppets
Tuesday, August 1st, 11:00 – 11:45 am, Library Main Floor
Pumpernickel Puppets will present “Sir George and the Dragon”, followed by a demonstration of what goes on behind the scenes. Best for three and up. No registration required. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library and Fay School.)
TaleWise presents “Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together”
Tuesday, August 8th, 4:00 – 4:45 pm, Library Main Floor
Two unlikely heroes work together to save their town from a super-polluting mastermind in this program which combines science experiments and storytelling. Volunteers will help solve problems by doing science experiments. Best for ages 3+ and no registration is required. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library and Fay School.)
Magic with Ed Popielarczyk!
Thursday, August 17th, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Library Lawn (or Main Floor if inclement weather)
Magician Ed Popielarczyk returns to the library with a magic show full of amazing tricks and laughter! Weather permitting, this event will be held on the library lawn so please bring a blanket or chair. All ages welcome and no registration required. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library and Fay School.)
Crafternoon: Pencil Pouches
Wednesday, August 23rd, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Library Main Floor
Registration will be required for this event — Please email kivers@southboroughma.com.
Using various media such as embroidery floss, fabric markers, and paint personalize your very own zipper pouch that can be used as a pencil case, make-up bag, or whatever you need it to carry! For ages 8 and up. (Sponsored by Fay School and the Friends of the Southborough Library.)
Kindergarten Party
Thursday, August 24th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Library Main Floor
This event is for all children entering kindergarten! We will read some stories about kindergarten, play a game, and do a craft. Kids and parents will also be able to meet future classmates. No registration is required. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.)
Drop-in Programs
Stop by the Children’s Room any time between 10:30 am – 4:30 pm on the following days for these activities. (All ages, no registration required.)
- Drop-in Crafts – Thursdays, July 13th & August 10th
- Drop-in Lego Building – Thursdays, July 6th & August 3rd
Kids Jam (weekly)
This special musical program for little ones will continue to take place Fridays, through August 25th, 11:00 – 11:30 am, Library lawn. (It will be canceled on days that it rains.):
Join Amy Kaufman sing a variety of traditional and popular children’s songs, accompanied by her mountain dulcimer. Kids are invited to dance and sing along! Best for newborns through preschool age. No registration necessary. This event will be held on the library lawn. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Outdoor Story Times (weekly)
Join the Miss Kim for stories and fun on the Library Lawn. (Please bring blankets/chairs.) In the case of inclement weather, the event will move to the Children’s Room.
For all ages, no registration necessary. Most are Wednesday afternoons, but there are two Tuesday mornings:
- Wednesday, June 28th, 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Wednesday, July 6th, 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Wednesday, July 12th, 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Tuesday, July 18th, 11:00 – 11:45 am
- Wednesday, July 26th, 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Wednesday, August 2nd, 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Wednesday, August 9th, 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Tuesday, August 15th, 11:00 – 11:45 am
Updated (6/24/23 4:14 pm): Storyteller Diane Edgecomb’s program on June 27th is at 4:00 pm, not in the morning as I accidentally originally posted.
Updated (6/27/23 9:49 am): I accidentally referred to the first date of the weeklong Southborough Stories Project as Monday, June 24th instead of July.
Updated (7/7/23 8:35 am): I fixed the date of the Reptile program and added registration info for the Crafternoon
