BRATTLEBORO — For libraries, summertime means summer reading. This year's theme is “Build A Better World,” and the Children's Room at Brooks Memorial Library will be busy providing new programs and continuing with previous popular summer programs, according to a news release.
This year, Brooks will offer a summer challenge for kids, ages 4-12. This program offers kids the chance to earn points for reading, being read to, or listening to audiobooks. Kids can also earn points by attending library programs.
All these points are recorded on a specific form that can be picked up in the Children's Room. When children earn 25 points, they can progress to the next level to earn more points and more prizes; the higher the level, the better the prizes.
There will also be special tasks throughout the summer to earn bonus points. Prizes include free books, free snacks at local establishments, and free passes to other fun activities. Children can sign up starting this week and then all the way through the summer. Completed forms must be turned in by Saturday, Aug 12, to be eligible for prizes.
Music, dance, and movies
The summer program for little ones is an activity sheet for parents with kids from birth to age 4, with suggestions of great early literacy activities, including, “Sing a song with your child,” and “read a wordless picture book.” This program is a great way to introduce common early literacy skills and fun activities that parents can do with their little readers. If parents finish 20 out of 25 activities on the sheet, they can get a free board or picture book.
Some of the summer's programs include classic offerings like Monday Movie Matinee, which is sponsored by Bellville Reality. This program starts on Monday, June 26, and runs through Monday, Aug. 15. A movie will show at 1 p.m. each Monday throughout the summer. Bring a lunch or snack and watch a movie on the big screen in the Meeting Room.
Stop by the library to pick-up a schedule to see what is playing or check www.brookslibraryvt.org/kids. All movies are rated G or PG. This is free and open to the public.
On Tuesday mornings, they will offer two different programs for little kids and their families. In the morning from 10:30-11:30, they will host Sing-and-Dance with Laura Goldblatt, co-sponsored by KidsPLAYce. These Sing-and-Dance sessions will be Tuesday, June 27, July 11 and 25, and Aug. 8.
Additionally, on July 18 and Aug. 1, from 10:30-11:30, they will collaborate with Sobo Dance Studio to host Family Dance Time for kids up to 5 years old and their parents. Come shake, sing, squirm, and move around on Tuesday mornings throughout the summer with Sing-and-Dance or Family Dance Time. All sessions are free and open to the public. There will be no morning session on Tuesday, July 4, because of the holiday.
Time to T.H.R.I.V.E.
Tuesday afternoons, Brooks is offering a “Tinkering Tuesday” program for older kids. Every Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a different STEM event, like playing with circuits, toy hacking, or building a Rube Goldberg machine. These events are free and open, but pre-registration will be required for some of these programs.
On Thursdays is the T.H.R.I.V.E program, with different special events on Thursday afternoons. All events will run from 2 to 4 p.m., unless otherwise specified.
Some collaborative Thursday events include a letter-writing event co-sponsored with the Local Love Brigade on Thursday, July 6, and a special two-part series on Thursday, July 27, and Thursday, Aug. 3, with local superhero Green-Up Girl.
In week one, with Green-Up Girl, kids will learn about “Living a Green Lifestyle,” which includes composting and learning how a solar oven works and how our trash negatively affects the animal kingdom.
Week two is called “Podcasting for the Planet,” giving kids an opportunity to write and record, in video or audio, their www.brookslibraryvt.org/kids own piece about what solutions or concerns they have about environmental issues. Check-out www.brookslibraryvt.org/kids to see the full Thursday T.H.R.I.V.E. schedule.
One special program they are hosting this summer is the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, which will be coming to the library on Thursday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m., for a special after-hours program.
VINS will bring three live raptors to this program to accompany a talk about the importance of nesting season and how we can help birds out. Join VINS to learn what to do if you find a baby bird and to find out what bird parents are busy doing at this of time year.
This program is geared towards children and families, but everyone is welcome to attend. The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library have made this program possible.
Teen reading
A new teen reading program is happening this summer at the library. Teens going into 7th grade and up to 18 years old can participate in their scratch-ticket summer reading program. Every time a teen checks out a book this summer they earn a scratch ticket - one ticket per day. Also, teens can earn tickets by attending library programs.
Some scratch tickets will be winners and others will encourage teens to return to the library another day to try again. Prizes for winning tickets will include: books, water bottles, and gift certificates to Brueggers and other local eateries and stores. With non-winning tickets, teens can enter to win a large drawing at the end of the summer. Teens can start earning scratch tickets on Monday, June 26.
In addition to the summer reading program, the library will also host a special teen-only Zombie Tag. On Friday, July 28, from 7 to 9 p.m., come to the library after closing, play zombie tag, eat free pizza, and see what lurks in the stacks after hours. Get ready to join the walking dead.
On Wednesday evenings, July 12, July 26, and Aug. 9, they will offer Teen Only Movies. All movies will start at 6 p.m., and teens ages 13 and up will be invited to attend. For information on movie titles, stop in and pick-up a calendar or visit www.brookslibraryvt.org/teens. Movies are rated PG-13.
Lunchtime!
The library will also be a summer lunch site for kids and teens through the Summer Food Service Program.
This year lunch will be offered Monday through Friday, from noon to 1 p.m., starting on Monday, June 26, and running through Friday, Aug. 11. Free lunch is provided for children 18 and under - no registration required. Adults may purchase a meal for $3.