Palmer Public Library hitting its stride and finding its voice

Date: 6/21/2023

PALMER — The Palmer Public Library’s 2023 Summer Reading Program & Events began June 20. This year’s theme is “Find Your Voice” and the staff are excited to be offering exciting events for all ages throughout the summer. Last year was the first summer since COVID-19 restrictions that the library was able to host more in-person programming. They expressed wanting to re-establish connections they lost when they weren’t in-person and partnering with the community to do as many programs as possible to provide great resources. Now, they’re thrilled to have patrons back in the library at pre-COVID-19 levels.

“Last year’s program was a big success, and this year we hope to have even more people register and experience all of the new things we’ll be offering,” said Adult Services Librarian Amy Golenski. “Summer reading is for everyone, not just kids. It’s a great time for adults to sign up too, and learn about all that our library has to offer, all year long. Adults registered for this year’s summer reading program will receive an additional raffle entry for each program they attend.”

Young Adult Services Librarian Bridget Kennedy is focusing on creative writing, music, art and other ways teenagers can find outlets to express themselves.

“My goals are to make sure attendance increases. I want to get as many kids as possible through the doors of the library and mostly just to make sure everyone has a great time,” Kennedy said. “I know the last couple of summers everyone was still in hibernation mode from the pandemic and I’m hoping that this summer they will ready to be and about again. The library is a place for fun as well as studying and resources.”

Youth Services Assistant Olivia Chartrand has a variety of events and programs for children this summer. The most notable events are the Summer Concert Series shows, that take place on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. They have invited performers from across New England to show their act to the community of Palmer. The Summer Concert Series starts on July 5th with a Birds of Prey informative program and ends on Aug. 16 with the Toe Jam Puppet Band.

Chartrand said, “The goal of this year’s summer reading program is to provide a fun, safe space for the children of our community to learn, grow, and express themselves.”

She went on to say, “Our programs are intended to help build literacy, creativity, and independence for every child in the community.”

The youth room will also continue the weekly programs such as Story Time, Virtual Roblox Club, Sensory Play Group, and a fun new program on Thursdays. This summer, their Thursday events include things like art programs, trivia, slime science, and more. Since the theme of the summer reading program is “Find Your Voice” Chartrand want children to have the opportunity to do that through art and creation.

One program Chartrand is introducing this summer that is new is a book club for elementary aged children eight and up. The book club is called “Fic or Flick Book Club” and they meet twice a month to discuss a chapter books that has been adapted into a movies. Children are encouraged to read the month’s designated book and/or watch the movie and in their meetings. They’ll talk about what they are enjoying and what is different or the same between the book and movie versions of the story.

“The summer reading program is an important cornerstone of our community because it is a unifying space for everyone,” said Chartrand. “The library is one of the only opportunities for free entertainment making it a place where anyone can spend time, regardless of financial hardship.”

Register now on Beanstack at https://palmer.beanstack.com/reader365. Log your reading time (books, eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels and magazines) between June 20 through Aug. 18. Read a bit each day and you’ll earn a summer reading t-shirt and book prizes. You’ll also be entered into an-end-of-the-summer raffle drawing.

Teen summer reading events (grades 6-12)

• Karaoke Kickoff Party: Tuesday, June 27 5-7:30 p.m.
• Rubber Duckie Soap Making Workshop: Tuesday, July 11 2-3:30 p.m.
• Teen Writer’s Workshop with Danielle Jones from Mass Poetry on Thursday, July 13 from 2-4 p.m.
• Cupcake Wars Decorating Contest: Thursday, July 20 from 2-3:30 p.m.
• DIY Mini Photo Album Craft: Thursday, July 27 from 2-3:30 p.m.
• Perler Bead Craft: Thursday Aug. 3 from 2-4 p.m.
• Intro to Tarot: Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 2-4 p.m. Registration required. Open to ages 12-18 only.
• Teen Dungeons & Dragons: Every Tuesday at 3:30-5 p.m.
• Teen Anime Club: Every Thursday at 3:30-5 p.m.
• Registration required for all events. Earn extra raffle entries by attending each program/event.

Adult programs and events

• Crafternoons: Decoupage Glass Magnets on Wednesday, June 21 at 2 p.m., Mosaic Coaster on Wednesday, July 19 at 2 p.m., Mini Canvas Art on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required. Craft Kits for pickup at the Main Desk from June 20-Aug. 18.
• 100 Everyday Signs: Tuesday Nights: July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26 and Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. Five consecutive, weekly, in-person workshops, and through fun learning activities, learn American Sign Language signs for the days of the week, basic colors, animals, foods, family members, places to go, and signs to use when making a request. Learn simple ASL sentences to apply the new signs learned. Classes will be taught in American Sign Language. Space is limited and registration is required. Registrants are expected to attend all five classes.
• Antique Textile Identification Clinic with Local Expert Lynne Bassett: Tuesday, July 25 at 6 p.m. If you have antique cloth items that you’d like to learn more about, local textile expert Lynne Bassett will help you date and identify your treasures. This clinic is for identifying and dating fabric only. Limit of up to 3 clean (mold & dirt-free) textile items per registrant. Space is limited and registration to have your textile item(s) identified is required.
• Poetry Open Mic Night- Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. A night of creative verse. Enjoy light refreshments while listening to or reading your favorite poetry Registration for poetry reading is required.
• Railroad in Song — Summer Concert with Jon Waterman: Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. The show consists of songs, history and an accompanying slide presentation. Presenter, musician, and songwriter Jon Waterman will take his audience on a tour of songs about trains, railroad workers, train wrecks and heroes. Stations visited include the Transcontinental Railroad, the stories of Casey Jones and John Henry, the Ashtabula and 97 wrecks, the Great migration and more. Registration is NOT required for this program.

The Palmer Public Library is located on 1455 N. Main St. For registration, go to www.palmerlibrary.org/events.

The library’s summer hours are Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.