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Date: 6/27/2022
HOLYOKE – The Holyoke Public Library has announced plans for their 2022 summer reading program, “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.”
The program is being done with the help of iRead, a flexible nonprofit reading program designed by librarians that features appealing incentives, compelling and adaptable themes, and a comprehensive resource guide full of ideas for summer reading programs and engagement. The Holyoke Public Library has used programs from iRead in the past to supplement their summer reading programs within the community.
The iRead program website describes this year’s summer reading theme of “Read Beyond the Beaten Path,” stating, “The broad motif of ‘summer camp at the library’ can encompass a world of different summer experiences: from outdoor activities such as hiking, campfires, stories and s’mores to nature programs, arts and crafts, music and so much more.”
The summer reading period for children and teens will begin July 5 and go through Aug. 5. The adult program will run through Aug. 19 program. The library will have five weeks of fun activities planned throughout the summer for kids and teens and two additional weeks on top of that for adults.
Holyoke Library Development Associate Nancy Kocsmiersky said the different age groups of readers will see activities of a wide variety throughout the summer including story times, STEM activities, a henna artist, an introductory yoga class for the teens, crafts for adults, and a cupcake decorating class.
Kocsmiersky said the activities are set to give students and adults a crossover of summer activities at the library to let the reading come naturally. She added it is already a challenge getting students to read assignments during the school year and that through a more fun approach during summer activities that hopefully students interests lead them into more reading and help combat the “summer slide.” The “summer slide” is the tendency for students to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year.
“We want them to be really excited about reading for fun. Don’t worry about assignments, but we really want to focus on getting kids and everyone to read for fun,” said Kocsmiersky. “Any type of reading is good.”
Kocsmiersky added there will be suggested books and resources available at the library that are available for students and adults who are interested in continuing learning more from whatever lesson they participated in through the program.
The program will kick off on July 1 with a series of events in the library park next to the Holyoke Library including a presentation show for all ages titled “Learn in Motion” from 11 a.m. to noon, games outside in Library Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring free sidewalk chalk, bubbles and other activities for all ages, and free ice cream in the afternoon for everyone who registers while supplies last.
There will also be a meet and greet with Springfield Thunderbirds mascot Boomer at 12 p.m.
Kocsmiersky hopes the activities planned through the summer help some students realize that learning can be fun.
“Reading is fun, and we want you to come to the library and enjoy it,” Kocsmiersky said.
The Holyoke Public Library has one message for those interested in entering the summer reading program: join them for summer reading fun.
“To succeed in school and life, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. The Summer Reading Program reminds kids that reading is for fun – as well as for learning. We invite everyone to register and join the fun, help stop the summer slide in kids and keep all of us mentally engaged this summer at the Holyoke Public Library,” a statement from the Library read in their press release for the program.
To register online, visit https://holyokelibrary.beanstack.com/ or pick up paper forms at the library. You can also view more on the summer reading program plans and the different activities for each age group on the Holyoke Public Library’s website.