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Date: 6/28/2022
CHICOPEE – The engaging events of the Chicopee Public Library’s summer reading program will return in their normal form this summer. The kid-centric reading encouragement initiative runs from June 21 to Aug. 12.
Youth Services Coordinator Erin Daly explained that this year marks a return to form for the library’s summer programing. The library hosted an online-only version of the Summer Reading Program in 2020, while 2021 included the reading challenge without its normal outdoor activities.
“This is the first year we feel like we’re back with a full strength of activities. We’ll be having the reading challenge and lots of programs outside,” said Daly in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
The summer reading program includes a variety of offerings geared towards kids of all ages. Every Tuesday will feature storytime, an outside celebration that includes stories, songs and activities for children ages five and under. The program takes place weekly at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting.
The program also includes Camp Steam, a science-centric event series that includes different experiments for kids of all ages. The series runs on June 29, July 13, July 27 and Aug. 10 at 2 p.m.
Daly also discussed the library’s return of weekly presentations. Performers like Ed the Wizard, Music with Mr. Liam and the acrobat Li Liu present fun outdoor activies for family members of all ages, according to Daly. The weekly showcases take place Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in the Chicopee Public Library courtyard.
Daly stressed that the summer reading program’s essential mission is to keep youths reading over the summer. The program allows children and teenagers to read literature of their choice as they track their reading progress over the summer. Participants receive small prizes for each milestone while also taking part in a grand raffle at the end of the summer.
“Our summer reading program keeps everyone reading during summer. It’s very self-driven, which kids love…it really keeps everyone’s brain going over the summer,” said Daly.
Readers can learn more about the summer reading program at https://www.chicopeepubliclibrary.org/kids/.
Strategic plan
The Chicopee Public Library is also releasing a survey for their latest strategic plan. New strategic plans for the library are typically designed every 10 years. Director Laura Bovee said the survey allows the library to elicit community responses about the core services it offers.
“The survey that we’re down now asks what people think of our current services, what new services they might like to see us have and how they want to receive information about the library,” said Bovee in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
Bovee shared that residents can take the survey at the library or online at tinyurl.com/ChicopeeLibrarySurvey. The results will aid the library in defining a direction for future developments, such as the recent inclusion of the Chicopee Public Library’s traveling book mobile.
“It just gives us a little focus as we’re looking at things we might want to do, whether we continue programs we are already doing or expand them … it gives us things to concentrate on going forward,” said Bovee.
Readers can learn more about the Chicopee Public Library at https://www.chicopeepubliclibrary.org/.