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Date: 7/1/2022
PALMER – The Palmer Public Library has a wide range of programs and events for the summer. This is the first summer since COVID-19 restrictions began that the library is doing more in-person programming. They want to re-establish connections they lost when they weren’t in-person and will be partnering with the community to do as many programs as possible to provide great resources.
“We’re really excited to get started again in-person and get a full roster of programming back for the summer,” said Young Adult Services Librarian Bridget Kennedy. “Last summer, we had just gotten back in-person and it was a huge adjustment, so we know what we’re doing now.”
Adult Services Librarian Amy Golenski added, “Each department offers a wide variety of programs and events for all ages in our community. We never charge for programs and events that we offer here at our library and are very happy to provide them at no cost to our patrons.”
The library kicked off their 2022 Summer Reading Program: “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.” This year’s theme comes from their participation in the iREAD Reading Program which combines camp, adventure and skill development. The library is offering end-of-the summer t-shirts and book prizes to all participating patrons, along with raffle prizes (offered from each department for each age group) that participating patrons will be entered in.
Youth Services Librarian Angela Sanches responded, “The goal of the summer reading program is to encourage reading during the out-of-school months and help address the phenomenon sometimes known as the summer slide.”
She continued, “The particular program that my assistant and I have put together for this summer incentivize reading 20 minutes a day and active participation in library programming throughout the summer.”
For the youth programming, the library is hosting concert-style performances from Scott Jameson Juggler, Little Red Wagon Theater Troupe, Tanglewood Marionettes, Toe Jam Puppet Band and a traveling reptile show on Wednesdays from July 6- Aug. 16. There’ll be a mini golf program that takes place within the building, a Marvel’s Avenger’s program on Aug.4 where children will be interviewed by Spider-Man and Black Widow to be a part of the Avengers Initiative, a life-sided Among Us program based on the popular video game and a Demigod Olympics trial on July 21 based on the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.
There’s also craft offerings where families will be able to create constellations in a jar, participate in an Olympian boat quest, build their own bottle rocket and make galaxy slime all at their homes. The library will also to continue to offer their regular programs and clubs including drop-in crafts, makerspace programs, story times, library on the lawn and a weekly virtual Roblox club that children play from home.
“These programs are themed around popular genres, books or characters that hopefully have a broad appeal to my target audience,” Sanches said. “The hope that I have with these programs is creating a space where patrons of all ages can connect with members of their community that they may otherwise have no other opportunity to interact with. The more patrons participate in the programming we offer, the higher the chances they have to win prizes at the end of the program.”
Tweens & Teen Programming
• Environment Journal Book Binding Workshop, Tuesday, July 12, 2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
• Cupcake Wars Decorating Contest, Thursday, July 14, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Scented Candle Making Workshop, Tuesday, July 19, 2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
• Melted Crayon Art, Thursday, July 21, 2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
• Teen Writer’s Workshop w/ Danielle Jones, Thursday, July 28, 2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
• Zombie Survival Workshop, Monday, Aug. 1, 2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
• Cosplay Cloak Workshop for Teens, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
Adult programs and events
• Seashell butterfly magnet craft kit for adults available for pick up at the main desk (limit 1 per person) from June 20- Aug. 19.
• Secret Lives of the Quabbin Watershed – Tuesday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m., an in-person presentation by local photographer & author Dale Monette. He’ll share his stories and photographs of the animals of Quabbin as they go about their daily routines on the Quabbin Watershed.
• CRAFTERNOONS – Seashell Wind Chime Craft on Wednesday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. and Butterfly Terrarium Craft on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 2:00 p.m.
• Rice Heating Pad Workshop – Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m., an in-person program where Elizabeth Daniels, seamstress and local alterations expert from Alterations by Elizabeth in Palmer, will teach how to sew a rice-filled, microwaveable heating pad.
• Van Gogh’s Starry Night Pastel Painting Workshop with Greg Maichack – Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This workshop is for ages 18 and over and includes all materials.
Registration for programs is online at www.palmerlibrary.org. The Palmer Public Library is located on 1455 North Main St. Their summer hours are Mondays from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.