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Date: 5/9/2018
HAMPDEN – Summer is quickly approaching which means soon swarms of students will be out of school and spending time in the Hampden Public Library taking part in their summer reading program. Adults and teens: do not fret. The library has summer reading programs for you, too.
This year’s summer reading theme is, “Libraries Rock!” The Hampden Public Library will be incorporating music into several aspects of their programming over the summer. On June 21 at 6 p.m. the library will host a “Bubble Buddy” party as their kickoff event for children who are in preschool through fifth grade. There will be a DJ, games and activities. Kids will be able to sign up for the program beginning on the 21st, and signups will run through July 5.
Kids who enter the summer reading program are encouraged to read 15 minutes each day for at least 40 days between June 21 and Aug. 7. With each day that the child reads, they will color a star on the recording sheet that the library will provide. Every time that the child takes a trip to the library they can add stars to the “Reading Rock Star Wall.” Each participant of Libraries Rock program will be invited to the Grand Finale Party on Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m. where they will receive a reading certificate and goodie bag.
Aside from the Bubble Buddy party, the library will host a series of activities and events over the course of the summer. On June 28 at 4 p.m. Home Depot will be coming to the library to have a building activity. Participating kids will be able to keep their craft and receive a free Kids’ Workshop apron, commemorative pin and a certificate of achievement. On July 10 at 11 a.m. Ed the Wizard will be making an appearance for the children, and teaching the importance of building and maintaining one’s reading skills through his interactive magic performance. Berkshire Hills Music Academy will have a performance on July 14 at 11 a.m.
“They are an amazing group of students with different types of disabilities that all excel in music. They will be coming to play for us, and speak to the audience about disability awareness and anti-bullying,” Children’s Librarian Kate Rumplik explained.
On July 18 at 11 a.m. there will be a “make it, shake it and take it” event, where students will create a rubber band banjo, Popsicle kazoo or percussion shaker. July 25 at 11 a.m. will feature “Jack, the LEGO maniac” where Jack will bring LEGOs to the library and work with the kids on building Lego projects together. The Forest Park Zoo on the go will be at the library on July 31 at 11 a.m. Finally, on August 7 at 1 p.m. “jumping clay” is coming to the library, which has proven to be a popular activity. Children will be able to mold and shape clay into a project with step-by-step instructions.
In addition to these events, each Thursday the library will have a movie night. “CoCo” will be shown at movie night on July 5, “School of Rock” on July 12, “Sing” on July 19 and “High School Musical” on July 26.
Teens who are interested in joining their own summer reading program have a goal of reading five age-appropriate books between June 21 and Aug. 9. At sign up the individuals will receive a free prize. For each book that they read, they will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a “summer reading basket” which will be filled with prizes. There is no limit to the number of raffle tickets a teen can earn, so the more they read the better their chances are of winning. If the student reaches their five-book goal, they earn a reading certificate and will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.
Teens are welcome to go to the library between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 30 to make and take guitar pick earrings or a guitar pick keychain. On July 7 at 12 p.m., a local teen author panel will take place with Sandy Howell and Anna Maria Traniello.
The Hampden Cultural Council is sponsoring the adult summer reading kick-off program on June 23 from 12 to 1 p.m. titled, “Self-Care and Stress Release for Busy People” which will be presented by Kate Forest, a self care and mindful living teacher. At the circulation desk, adults will be able to sign up for their summer reading program.
Following reading a book, the adult is asked to fill out a book review slip and hand it in at the front desk. The staff will then cut off the individuals contact information for a drawing, and the reader will then be able to choose which prize they would like to win and put it in the corresponding box.
The adult summer reading program will close on Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. with a “summer reading social.” Adults will be able to chat about their favorite reads amongst one another, share vacation stories and enjoy refreshments. In addition, prizes will be drawn at the social.
At the close of the children and teen summer reading programs on Aug. 9, the Village Food Mart will be donating a pasta dinner. Each child participant will receive a bag of goodies with coupons and gift cards to local businesses, as well as music-themed toys and other items.